FULTON, Mo. – The William Woods University men's basketball team looks to capture their third win of the season Thursday, November 15^th as they take on the Park Pirates. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Anderson Arena.
 
Game Day Information
Thursday night, WWU is celebrating Faculty Appreciation Night. Each of the 12 new faculty will be honored during halftime of the women's and men's game.
 
There is no admission being taken at the games Thursday night. The $6.00 charge will resume on November 29^th when the Owls host Columbia College.
 
About Park
The Pirates enter the contest with a 1-3 record. They opened their 2018-19 season with an eight point loss to No. 11 Central Methodist and a nine point loss to No. 19 MidAmerica Nazarene University at the MNU Tip-off Classic. After dropping their first two games, the Pirates captured their first win on Nov. 5^th over Benedictine College 63-58.
 
Senior guard Zack Ruthland currently leads the Pirates in scoring with 18ppg. Last time out, Ruthland scored 29 points on 10-19 shooting. He also added six assists and one steal in the contest. Also playing well for Park, is sophomore forward Ernest Myles III. Myles III is leading rebounder for the Pirates with an 11.2 rebounds per game average.
 
Both Ruthland and Myles III were 2017-2018 AMC All-Conference selections. Ruthland was named Third Team All-AMC, and Myles III was named to the All-Freshmen Team.
 
About William Woods
The Owls enter the contest 2-3 on the season. They are coming off an 82-77 loss to No. 2 William Penn. Prior to the William Penn loss, William Woods fell 86-78 in their home opener to Missouri Valley.
 
Austin Curry is currently leading team with a 46% field goal percentage. He is also second on the team in scoring averaging 17.2ppg. His 41 rebounds this season places him at the 24^th spot overall in the nation in total rebounds.
 
David Johnson Jr. currently leads the Owls with 18.8ppg. He scored a season high 22 points against Evangel. With eight blocks on the season, Johnson Jr. ranks 15^th overall in the nation in total blocks. He also ranks 25^th overall in scoring with 94 points on the season so far.
 
Against the Pirates
Park currently holds a 13-6 series over the Owls. The first meeting between these two teams was on Jan. 21, 2010 when the Pirates defeated WWU 89-66.
 
In the last outing on Jan. 20, 2018, William Woods defeated Park 58-51. DaShaun Stark led the Owls with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Brandon Vice followed with 11 points and 9 rebounds and Darrien Dickey scored 10 points and snatched down 8 rebounds in the contest.
 
What's Next
Following Thursday's contest, WWU heads to Springfield MO. for an exhibition game against Division II Drury University on Saturday, Nov. 15^th. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. at O'Reilly Family Event Center.