FULTON, Mo. William Woods University women's basketball captures a 64-52 home victory over Lindenwood-Belleville. Kasey Hazell recorded a double-double scoring 10 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
 
Kaycee Gerald led the Owls in scoring with 14 points; she also snatched down 6 rebounds. Sommer Burgard followed with 11 points of her own. Peyton Greenlee chipped in 10 points and 8 rebounds in the contest.
 
WWU travels to Hannibal, Mo. Thursday, Jan. 10^th to face Hannibal-LaGrange. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
 
Game Flow
William Woods started of hot getting out to a quick 4-0 lead. Lindenwood-Belleville's Hailey Erdman put a stop to the Owls run when she knocked down a three point basket putting the Lynx behind 4-3. Exactly 1 minute after knocking down her first basket, Erdman hit her second three pointer of the night pushing Lindenwood-Belleville ahead 6-4.
 
After a short Lynx run, the Owls were able to tie the game 8-8 when Burgard connected for her two point basket. Lindenwood-Belleville quickly responded with a basket of their own coming from Sydney Kremers that put them back up 10-8.
 
With 2 minutes left in the first period, Burgard tied the game once again on a strong finish in the paint. But the Lynx would regain the lead on two Erdman free throws that sparked a 7-1 run putting them ahead 17-11 to end the period.
 
After a strong late first half run, Lindenwood-Belleville continued to add to their lead. 12 seconds into the second period, Ashley Mickan's lay-up put the Lynx ahead 19-11. The Owls responded with a run of their own scoring six straight points putting down two points.
 
Halfway through the period, the Owls were able to take the lead when Greenlee's fast-break lay-in found the bottom of the net.
 
Ahead 26-24, WWU looked to stretch their lead. They did just that on a Burgard basket that gave them a 28-24 advantage.
At the 2:29 mark, Allison Daca knocked down a huge three point basket for the Lynx that put them down just one point. A few seconds later, Brianna Mueller hit another three pointer for Lindenwood-Belleville that put them ahead 29-28.
 
In the final seconds of the half, Marisol Rollins hit a midrange jump shot and gave the Lynx a 33-28 halftime lead.
 
With two periods in the books, Lindenwood-Belleville got off to a great second half start. 4 minutes into the third period they found themselves up 40-35.
 
William Woods was able to get back within one of the Lynx when Bailey Rollins two point basket fell through putting WWU behind 41-40.
 
After a hard fought early third period, William Woods was finally able to gain the lead with 1:30 left when Hazell's midrange jump shot went in. 1 minutes later, Hazell hit another midrange jumper and pushed the WWU lead to 48-41.
 
With the third period seconds away from ending, Jazlyn Drake had a great move to the basket and finished strong in the lane right before time expired. Drake's basket put the Owls up 50-41 going into the final period.
 
William Woods continued the presser in the fourth period. 3 minutes in, Gerald hit a short midrange jump shot that gave WWU a 54-43 lead over the Lynx. She would knocked down another jump shot seconds later and put the WWU lead to 56-43.
 
A little under 5 minutes left in the game, Burgard had a strong finish in the paint that gave the Owls their largest lead of the game 60-45.
 
Lindenwood-Belleville would eventually slow things down when Mueller's three point basket put them within 10. But, the Owls continued to push as Ashleigh Frampton connected on a two point basket.
 
The Lynx had opportunities to score but could not find the basket and William Woods would go on to win their first game of the New Year 64-52.
 
By the Numbers
Kasey Hazell – Recorded a double-double in the contest 10 points & 10 rebounds
4 – WWU had 4 players score in double digits
10 – Peyton Greenlee chipped in 10 points in the contest
10 – William Woods only had 10 turnovers in the contest
14 – Kaycee Gerald led the Owls with 14 points
40% - The Owls shot 41% from the field as a team
47% - WWU shot 47% from the field