FULTON, Mo. – Senior Hannah Bland scored a career-high 25 points leading the William Woods University women's basketball team past Harris-Stowe State University, 67-56, Thursday night in AMC action.
 
Bland shot 69.2 percent, 9-for-13, from the floor and was 7-for-10 on free throws. Peyton Greenlee followed with 12 and Jasmine Brown scored 10 points to round out the double-figure scorers. Bland led the Owls with 12 rebounds for a double-double.
 
WWU returns to action on Saturday, December 30th when they travel to Bolivar, Missouri to face Southwest Baptist University in an exhibition contest. Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m.
 
Game Flow
Coming off a week-long layoff, the Owls and Hornets offense came out struggling to score in the first quarter. After a Kaycee Gerald jumper, the Owls led 7-4 with 4:54 left in the quarter. Bailey Rollins grew the Owls lead to 9-6 with 3:02 left in the quarter. However, the Owls only scored one more point and the Hornets closed out the quarter the last six points and Harris-Stowe led 12-10 after one quarter of play.
 
Harris-Stowe grew the lead to six, 16-10, after a Jay'La Davis jumper in the paint. The Owls followed hitting back to back threes, one by Peyton Greenlee and one by Lexy Ganaway, which tied the game at 16-16. WWU stretched the lead to five, 21-16, after four straight points by Bland. Harris-Stowe continued to battle and with the Owls ahead by four, 24-20, the Hornets closed the half by scoring the final three points. WWU led 24-23 at halftime.
 
Opening the third quarter the Owls scored the first four points, taking a 28-23 lead. WWU stretched the lead to six, 33-27, after a Jasmine Brown layup. After the layup by Brown, the Hornets hit three straight threes taking a three-point lead, 36-33. Harris-Stowe stayed hot for the rest of the quarter and stretched the lead to six, 44-38, with 26 seconds left. WWU scored the final basket and trailed by four, 44-40, heading to the final quarter.
 
WWU came out and scored the first five points in the fourth taking the lead, 45-44. The lead traded hands and with 5:09 left in the contest, the game was tied at 51-51. William Woods held the Hornets to five points over the remainder of the contest. Bland put the Owls head by six, 59-53, with 2:55 to go. WWU grew the lead to 10, 63-53, after a Gerald layup. After a three by Harris-Stowe, the Owls cored the final four points. WWU came away with a 67-56 victory over Harris-Stowe.
 
By the Numbers
25 – Hannah Bland scored a career-high 25 points against Harris-Stowe
12 – Bland led the Owls with 12 rebounds
44.9 – WWU shot 44.9 percent from the floor in the contest
3 – William Woods had three players score in double figures
2 – Peyton Greenlee and Lexy Ganaway hit two threes each
4 – The Owls had four blocked shots
19 – WWU shot 19 made free throws in the contest
28 – William Woods 28 points in the paint