COLUMBIA, Mo. – The William Woods University men's basketball team captured their second win of the season and first win of the Columbia College Classic Friday night as they defeated Grand View University, 72-63.
 
David Johnson Jr. led the Owls with 18pts and 5rebs. Austin Curry followed with 14pts of his own and added 9rebs.
 
WWU resumes tournament action Saturday afternoon when they face Evangel University. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Columbia College.
 
Game Flow
William Woods got off to a slow start in the early minutes of the first half as they found themselves trailing 12-4. A Brain Enriquez two-pointer gave the Owls their sixth point of the game, but it would not be enough to slow Grand View down as Casey Schlatter knocked down a three-pointer and push the Grandview lead to 15-6.
 
Midway through the first half, Grand View continued their aggression. Landon Rash connected for a two-point lay-in a stretched their lead to 20-8.
 
The Owls finally got things clicking but would not be able to get over the hump and walked into half down 40-24.
 
After a slow first half start, WWU returned from halftime a different team. Austin Curry made a two-pointer for the Owls and put them behind 40-26. Curry's layup sparked a 8-0 run and put the Owls behind 42-34.
 
With 13:52 remaining in regulation, Aaron Brookins hit a big three-pointer that made the score 45-37. 5-minutes later, Brookins knocked down another three-pointer and put the Owls down seven.
 
With momentum shifting towards WWU, they were finally able to take the lead when Jessie Frost-Dixon connected for a two-point shot in the lane and put William Woods ahead 50-49.
 
Grand View quickly regained the lead when Kory Kuenstling hit a two-point shot and put them up 51-50. David Johnson Jr. made a free-throw for the Owls and tied the game 51-51.
 
Johnson's free-throw sparked another William Woods run and the Owls would find themselves ahead 72-61 with 1-minute remaining.
 
Grand View went on to score one more time before finally falling to the Owls 72-63.
 
By the Numbers
9 – WWU had 9 points off turnovers
14 – William Woods had 14 second chance points
18 – David Johnson Jr. led the Owls with 18 points in the contest
23 – WWU had 23 second chance points
38 – The Owls scored 38 points in the paint
80% - The Owls shot 80% from the foul line