HANNIBAL, Mo. – William Woods University men's basketball suffered a 70-56 loss to Hannibal-LaGrange Thursday night in the AMC Game of the Week. The Owls were on a five-game winning streak before being defeated. They are now 9-6 overall and 6-3 in the AMC.
 
Jessie Frost-Dixon recorded his first double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds. David Johnson Jr. led the Owls with 14 points. Treshawn Gause chipped in 10 points of his own.
 
WWU returns to action Saturday, Jan. 12^th as they face St. Louis Pharmacy. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Anderson Arena.
 
Game Flow
Hannibal-LaGrange started the half off strong getting out to an early 11-4 lead. Gause would give the Owls their sixth point of the game on a quick drive and finish in the paint. But the Trojans continued their run by going up 14-6 on a Tyrone Hueittjr three point basket.
 
 
Halfway through the half, Johnson Jr. went 1-2 from the foul line putting WWU behind 14-7. Hannibal-LaGrange would add to their lead when Tracy Sailem had two point basket in the paint making the Trojan lead 16-7.
 
1 minute after the last basket was scored, Hannibal-LaGrange's Clay Thebeau knocked down his first three pointer of the game pushing their lead to 19-7. Johnson Jr. responded with a three pointer of his own putting the Owls down 9.
 
With 5:58 remaining in the half, Frost-Dixon scored his first points of the game on a strong finish in the paint. Moments after his first basket, he scored the next four points for the Owls putting them donw 21-16.
 
After a short WWU run, Michael Hood hit a deep three point basket that pushed the Trojans up 25-16.
 
Johnson Jr. responded once again for William Woods score four straight points putting the Owls with seven of Hannibal.
 
In the final seconds of the first half, Johnson Jr. hit a huge three pointer putting WWU down 27-23 going into halftime.
 
 
Ahead by four, Hannibal-LaGrange returned from halftime with the same energy that had in the early first half. 5 minutes into the second half, Huettjr connected on a two point lay-in that put the Trojans up 36-25.
 
The Owls scored four more points before Hannibal-LaGrange went on a tear. With 12 minutes remaining in the game, Ryan Ward hit a three point basket that gave the Trojans their largest lead of the game 47-27. Seconds later, he sunk another three pointer giving them a 23 point lead.
 
Finally, after a huge run, Jason Walker hit his first three point basket of the game that put the Owls down 50-30. Clay Thebeau responded with a three pointer of his own putting Hannibal-LaGrange back up 23.
 
With 6 minutes remaining, William Woods had cut the lead down to 15 when Brookins three pointer found the bottom of the net.
 
The Trojans would eventually regain a 23 point lead when Brady Smith knocked down both his foul shots.
 
In the final minute of the contest, the Owls went on a small 5-0 run but it would be to late as time expired. Walker scored the final point for WWU.
 
Hannibal-LaGrange went on to win the contest 70-56.
 
 
By the Numbers
Jessie Frost-Dixon – recorded his first double-double of the season scoring 11 points and grabbing 10 rebounds
10 – Treshawn Gause scored 10 points in the contest
14 – David Johnson Jr. led WWU with 14 points
15 – William Woods turned the ball over 15 times in the contest
14.8% - The Owls shot 14.8% from the field
31% - WWU shot 31% from the field as team
82% - William Woods shot 82% from the foul line