COLUMBIA, Mo. – The William Woods men's basketball team fell to Evangel University at the Columbia College Classic for their first loss of the season Saturday afternoon. The 81-75 loss moves the Owls to 2-1 on the season.

David Johnson Jr. led the Owls with 22 points and 12 boards. Jason Walker, Shad Kimble and Aaron Brookins followed with 11 points apiece.

The Owls host Missouri Valley College for their home-opener on Wednesday, November 7, at 7:30 p.m.
 
Game Flow
The Owls scored first in the game with a three-pointer from Jason Walker, but EU answered with a 10-2 run to double the Owl's score, 10-5.

Walker cut the game back to three with his fast break bucket off his steal with 15:34 on the clock.

EU went up by seven, but the Owls tied the game at 16 with back-to-back three's from Shad Kimble and Aaron Brookins.

A jumper by David Johnson Jr. jump started a 14-0 run over a five minute span to give the Owls a 32-18 lead with 4:50 to play in the first half.

EU brought the game within nine points three times but the Owls pushed their lead to 14 with Johnson Jr.'s fifth basket of the game. EU hit a three with five seconds on the clock to send the game into halftime with the Owls leading 43-33.

The Owls maintained a 10+ point lead through the first five minutes into the second half, but a 10-0 EU run over just a minute span cut the game to a two-point difference, 58-56.

Back-to-back buckets from Brookins and Kimble put the Owls back up by six with 10 to play but EU blasted a 13-0 run with three three-pointers to take a seven-point lead with 6:55 on the clock, 69-62.

The Owls slowly chipped away at their deficit and with 4:18 to play, Kimble hit his third three to bring the Owls within one, 71-70.

Two good free throws from Walker brought the Owls within one again with 2:46 to play, but EU maintained the lead and ended the game with the 81-75 win.
 
By The Numbers
22 – David Johnson Jr. posted a double-double with 22 points (10-18 FG) and 12 rebounds.
11 – Three players scored 11 points (Jason Walker, Shad Kimble, Aaron Brookins)
43 – The Owls outscored Evangel 43-33 in the first half.
7 – Seven players picked up an assist.
6 – Jason Walker went 6-for-7 from the foul line.
23 – The Owls scored 23 bench points compared to EU's seven.