Box Score SPRINGFIELD, MO. – The William Woods University men's basketball team fell short to Missouri State University 110-56 Sunday night. David Johnson Jr. led the way for the Owls scoring 19 points and grabbing 4 rebounds. Aaron Brookins followed with 17 points of his own and going 4-4 from the foul line.
 
WWU returns to action Thursday Jan. 3^rd when they travel to Batesville, AR. To take on Lyon. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
 
Game Flow
45 seconds into the contest, Treshawn Gause knocked down a midrange jump shot to give William Woods a 2-0 lead. Missouri State quickly responded with a three pointer that came from Szymon Wojcik giving the Bears a 3-2 lead.
 
The Owls would regain a 4-3 lead when Johnson Jr. connected in the paint for a strong finish.
 
With 4 minutes off the game clock, the game was tied 8-8. A three point basket from Jarred Dixon gave Missouri State an 11-8 advantage and sparked 16-0 run.
 
Down 16, Brookins was able to connect on his first three point attempt and put WWU behind 24-11. The Bears responded with a two point basket from Jared Ridder that pushed the lead to 26-11, but Brookins would find the bottom of the net once again as he connected for the and-one play putting William Woods down 26-14.
 
At the 10:25 mark, Tulio Silva had a powerful slam in the paint giving the Bears a 28-14 lead. The powerful finish also sparked another Missouri State run that put them ahead 50-17 with 5 minutes remaining in the half.
 
Down big, Brookins was able to slow Missouri State down when he knocked down a three point basket giving WWU their 20^th point of the game. Ross Owens quickly returned the favor by knocking down a three pointer of his own and putting MSU ahead 53-20.
 
Brookins went on to score five more times for the Owls, but it would not be enough to slow the Bears down as they walked into halftime ahead 59-25.
 
After a strong first half, Missouri State continued the attack as Tulio Silva connected on a midrange jumper putting the Bears up 61-25.
 
30 seconds into the second half, Johnson Jr. was sent to line for the Owls and hit both free throws putting William Woods behind 61-27.
 
Just minutes after knocking down two free throws, Johnson Jr. hit a three pointer that put the Owls down 34 put the Bears would quickly respond with a three pointer of their own that came from Ryan Kreklow.
 
William Woods continued to take their opportunities, but the Missouri State attack was too aggressive as they were able to get out to an 84-42 lead.
 
Halfway through the second half, MSU was able to stretch their lead when Owens hit another three pointer giving them an 87-42 advantage.
 
With less than 12 minutes left in the game, Brookins knocked down a midrange jump shot giving the Owls their 44 point of the contest. Shortly after the Brookins basket, Codi Whitlock was able to get on the board as he knocked down both his free throw attempts that put WWU behind 90-46.
 
William Woods would go on to score 10 more points in the contest.
 
Missouri State dribbled out the final seconds of the contest and went on to win 110-56.
 
By the Numbers
4 – Aaron Brookins went 4-4 from the foul line
5 – William Woods scored 5 points off Turnovers
6 – Jessie Frost-Dixon and Shad Kimble led with 6 rebounds
11 – WWU had 11 second chance points
17 – Aaron Brookins scored 17 points in the contest
19 – David Johnson Jr. led the Owls with 19 points