FULTON, Mo. – The William Wood's women's basketball team faced No. 1 Freed-Hardeman Thursday night in Anderson Arena. Although the Owls were not able to claim the win, they promised an exciting game. The Owls move to 15-8 on the season with an 11-6 conference mark with the 55-53 loss. FHU extends their record to 21-1 with a 15-1 conference mark.

Kasey Hazell recorded her third double-double of the season with 15 boards and 10 points. Kaycee Gerald led the Owls with 15 points as she shot .500 from the field (6-of-12). 

The Owls look to regain momentum when they face William Baptist University (Ark.) Saturday, February 2, at 1 p.m. on their home court.

Game Flow
FHU took the lead and five minutes in they held an eight-point lead, 12-4. A bucket from Kaycee Gerald in the paint brought the Owls within four with 1:11 on the clock, FHU hit a jumper to end the first half with FHU leading 16-10.

The Owls pushed a 11-0 run over a three-minute span, bringing the game within one with 2:20 left in the half. FHU sunk two before time expired to send the game into halftime with FHU leading 26-21.

FHU pushed their lead to seven just over three minutes into the second half, but Gerald and Peyton Greenlee combined for eight to bring the Owls within one with five minutes to play, 33-32. FHU dominated the final four minutes of the quarter though, pushing their lead to 11 at the end of three, 46-35.

After trailing by 13, Greenlee jump-started a 10-0 run to bring the Owls within three with 3:53 to play, 51-48.

With a minute left in the fourth quarter, Kaycee Gerald sunk a layup on her fast break, bringing the Owls within two points of their opponents.

With forty seconds left in the game, William Woods forced a turnover to gain possession of the ball. Kasey Hazell then scored a two-pointer with only twenty seconds remaining to tie the game.

Freed-Hardeman was able to sink a shot with ten seconds remaining, putting them back in the lead.

William Woods followed up with an attempt for a game-winning three-pointer that barely missed the basket. FHU grabbed the rebound and held possession until the buzzer, ending the game with a 55-53 loss.

By The Numbers
.800 – The Owls shot .800 from the foul line, going 8-for-10.
.426 – The Owls shot .426 on the night.
18 – The Owls outscored FHU 18-9 in the final quarter.
15 – Kaycee Gerald scored a team-high 15 points (6-of-12 FG), and Kasey Hazell pulled down a floor-high 15 boards. 
12 – Peyton Greenlee added 12 points to the win.
10 – Hazell added 10 points to the game, completing her double-double.