FULTON, Mo. – The William Woods University men's basketball team lost their fifth game of the season Saturday afternoon to RV Missouri Baptist, 72-50. The loss to the Spartans puts the Owls at 4-5 overall and 1-2 in the American Midwest Conference.
 
David Johnson Jr. led WWU with 14 points. Makenzie Fessler grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds in the contest.
 
The Owls travel to Henderson, TN. on Thursday Dec. 13^th to face Freed-Hardeman. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
 
Game Flow
Missouri Baptist struck the first punch in the contest getting out to a quick 4-0 lead. WWU immediately put a stop to the Spartans run when Johnson Jr. connected for a two point lay-in that sparked a 6-0 Owls run putting them ahead 9-6.
 
On a couple free throws, WWU found themselves up 11-8. Missouri Baptist tied the game when Kai Woodfall hit a three-pointer making the score 11-11. The Owls responded with a three-point basket of their own coming from Jason Walker, giving WWU a 14-11 advantage.

With 11:47 left in the first half, John Yaeger knocked down another Spartan three-pointer, tying the game at 14. Yaeger led Missouri Baptist with 10 points on the night.
 
With the game tied 14-14, Keyaire Marshall regained the lead for William Woods on two-point put back.
 
After trailing most of the first half, Missouri Baptist was finally able to gain a 17-16 lead on Callum Barker's two point basket.
 
At the 4:37 mark, James Mckelvin knocked down a midrange jump shot stretching the Spartans lead to 31-22 and sparking a 7-2 run for Missouri Baptist.
 
Down 38-24, Johnson Jr. had a strong finish in the paint. Johnson's basket was the final point scored in the half and the Spartans walked into halftime ahead 38-26.
 
After a strong late first half finish, Missouri Baptist returned from halftime with the same momentum. Five minutes into the second half, Woodfall knocked down another three-point basket that pushed the Spartans lead to 46-29.
 
Finally, WWU was able to stop the Spartans run when Johnson Jr. connected for a strong finish in the paint. But it would not be enough to slow Missouri Baptist down as Pablo Hernandez responded with a two-point bucket of his own putting the Spartans ahead 51-31.
                                                       
Halfway through the second half, Jessie Frost-Dixon connected on a midrange jump shot, putting the Owls down 56-31. Following Frost-Dixon's basket, was Fessler who found the rim for a basket in the paint.
 
At the 8:37 mark, Woodfall hit both his foul attempts that sparked an 8-0 run and put Missouri Baptist ahead 62-38
 
In the final two minutes of regulation, Brian Enriquez hit a three-pointer that sparked a 8-0 run for the Owls that cut the game to 70-50.
 
With 19 seconds left, Brendon Hardy was fouled and sent to the line for the Spartans. He connected on both attempts and gave Missouri Baptist a 72-50 lead. William Woods looked to attack one last time but turned the ball over and the Spartans walked away with a 72-50 win.
 
By the Numbers
6 – David Johnson Jr. snatched down 6 rebounds in the contest
7 – Treshawn Gause chipped in 7 points for the Owls
11 – Makenzie Fessler grabbed a career high 11 rebounds
14 – David Johnson Jr. led the Owls with 14 points
27% - William Woods shot 27% from the field