FULTON, Mo. – The William Woods University men's basketball team plays their first game of the season in Anderson Arena Wednesday, November 7^th against Missouri Valley College. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
 
About the Vikings
Missouri Valley enters the contest 1-0 after defeating Hannibal-LaGrange 66-55 in their season opener. Danilo Ranger led the Vikings with 17pts. Larry Plummer followed with 16 points of his own.
 
This season, the Vikings loose Heart of America Second Team All-Conference selection Tim Washington and Honorable Mention Remy Price. Last season Washington averaged 16ppg and 3rebs. He shot 39% from the field and made 74% of his free-throws. Tim finished the season ranked 45^th overall in the nation in total steals (45) and 50^th overall in steals per game (1.4)
 
Price, a Chicago native, averaged 11.2ppg, 4asts and 3rebs. He shot 49% from the field and 78% from the foul line. He scored a season high 27pts and grabbed 10rebs on November 21, 2017 against Columbia.
 
Last time against Missouri Valley
Last season WWU opened their 2017-18 season against the Vikings on October 31^, 2017. The Owls were defeated 79-55. DaShaun Stark led the Owls with 19pts and grabbed 4rebs. Darrien Dickey followed with 10pts and 5rebs.
 
All-time against the Vikings
The first time the Owls and Vikings faced off was on February 9, 2009 WWU's second season as a program. William Woods was defeated by Missouri Valley 82-57. Since these two teams have matched up 12 times in which the Vikings hold a 9-3 series lead.
 
The Owls
William Woods enters the contest 2-1 overall. They won their season opener 83-69 against Bethel College (Kan.) on October 27^th. Austin Curry led the Owls with 27pts. WWU got their second win of the season at the Columbia College Classic in a 72-63 comeback win over Grandview University.
 
Hot Starts
So far, David Johnson Jr. and Austin Curry have led the way for WWU. In the first game of the season, Curry scored 27pts on 11-17 shooting. He also grabbed 11rebs in the contest.
 
Johnson Jr. who is currently leading the Owls with 17.3ppg was recently named American Midwest Conference Men's Basketball Player of the week. He scored 22pts and snatched down 12rebs in their loss to Evangel on November 3^rd.
 
A win over Missouri Valley will give the Owls their first home win of the season.