FULTON, Mo. – The RV William Woods University men's basketball team captured their 14^th win Thursday night as they defeated Freed-Hardeman, 84-73. The Owls are now 14-7 overall and 11-4 in the American Midwest Conference.
 
Treshawn Gause led WWU with 21 points and 8 rebounds. David Johnson Jr. recorded 18 points and 10 rebounds in the contest. Makenzie Fessler also recorded a double-double putting up 17 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Shad Kimble finished with 15 points and shot 5-of-8 from the three-point line.
 
The Owls return to action Saturday, Feb. 2, as they take on Williams Baptist University. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Anderson Arena.
 
Game Flow
Freed-Hardeman were the first to put points on the board. A two-point basket from Francis Agbata put the Lions up 2-0.
 
William Woods was finally able to get on the board when Gause knocked down a pretty midrange jump shot tying the game at 2-2. Freed-Hardeman quickly responded with a two-point basket of their own that came from Agbata.
 
With the game tied at 10 with 14 minutes left, Johnson Jr. put WWU ahead on a fast break layup giving them a 12-10 lead. Moments later, Kimble knocked down a contested three-pointer and stretched their lead to five.
 
The Lions quickly slowed down the small Owls run when Kortland Martin hit a three-pointer in the corner putting them down 15-13.
 
At the 7:17 mark, Silas Clark connected on his fast break lay-in and gave Freed-Hardeman a 25-22 lead. One minute later, Kimble hit another three for WWU and tied the game at 25.
 
The Owls would regain the lead with six minutes left in the half when Fessler connected on his strong two-point basket.
 
After 20 minutes of back-and-forth action, Freed-Hardeman was able to take a 38-37 halftime lead when Martins lay-up at the buzzer fell through.
 
Down one, William Woods looked to turn the intensity up. Seven minutes into the second half, they found themselves up 53-45.
 
The Lions immediately responded with two straight baskets that put them down 53-49, but it would not be enough to slow WWU down as they jumped out to a 59-49 lead.
 
Midway through the second half, William Woods was leading 62-51. Two free throws from Gause gave them a 64-53 lead.
 
As time continued to run of the game clock, the Owls lead grew. With 4:36 remaining in the game, Gause knocked down a nice floater in the paint that pushed them up 15.
 
Freed-Hardeman was able to get within nine of WWU but got into foul trouble late in the half. William Woods scored their final points at the foul line.
 
With 21 seconds left, Fessler sealed the game with his free throw and pushed William Woods past Freed-Hardeman, 84-73.
 
By the Numbers
.450 – The Owls shot 45% from three point territory
.470 – WWU shot 47% from the field
.780 – William Woods 78% from the free throw line
8 – Treshawn Gause led with 8 assists in the contest
12 – Makenzie Fessler led WWU with 12 rebounds on the night
17 – Fessler scored 17 points in the contest
18 – David Johnson Jr. chipped in 18 points
21 – Gause led William Woods with 21 points