COLUMBIA, Mo. – The William Woods University Men's Basketball team captured their first win of the 2019-20 season Friday night as they upset No. 25 Peru 74-71 in the first day of the Columbia College Classic.

Codi Whitlock led the Owls with 14 points. Ian Hodges followed with 13 while Jason Mason finished with 12.

What's Next?
WWU returns to action Saturday Nov. 2 as they take on Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.) in the second day of the Columbia College Classic. Tip-off is set for 2:30 p.m.
 
Game Flow
Peru State opened the game going on a quick 11-2 run. After getting down 14-8, WWU forward Whitlock was able to put the Owls within four when he connected on his two-point basket. But Peru State continued to push on as they went back up six on a Noah Vasa two-point basket.

Midway through the half, Makenzie Fessler was fouled and was sent to the line where he knocked down both free throws and put WWU down 18-15.

With the Owls closing the gap, Peru State knocked down a deep three-point shot pushing their lead to 22-17. Treshawn Gause responded to the three-point basket by knocking down one of his own, putting William Woods behind 22-20.

Thirteen minutes into the game, WWU forward Darius Yohe put the Owls down two when he scored on a Peru State turnover.

Both teams continued to trade baskets for the majority of the first half. With 1:20 remaining, Mason scored a fast break layup tying the game 35-35.

Peru State went on to score two more baskets to go into halftime ahead 39-37.

After a back-and-forth first half, Peru State returned from halftime by getting out to a 46-40 advantage over WWU.  

Gause was able to slow down the Peru State run when his one-man fast break to put the Owls down 46-42. Moments later, Whitlock put WWU within two when his two-point basket connected.

William Woods continued to fight in the second half, but Peru State kept up the aggression and found themselves with a comfortable 61-54 lead.

With 8:41 left on the game clock, Andrew Nett knocked down a much needed three-point basket and put the Owls down four. Seconds later, he hit another three putting WWU behind 63-60.

As time continued to run of the clock, Peru State slowly saw their lead disappear. With 1:58 left in the game, Hodges knocked down a huge three-pointer to give the Owls their first lead of the game, 72-69.

Peru State quickly responded to the basket with midrange jump-shot, putting them behind 72-71.

Hodges would respond with a two-point basket of his own pushing them ahead 74-71.

After multiple opportunities, Peru State was unable to score another basket. William Woods went on to upset No. 25 Peru State 74-71.
 
By the Numbers
3 – William Woods had three players score in double digits - Codi Whitlock (14), Ian Hodges (13), Jason Mason (12).
5 – Ian Hodges led the WWU with five assists.
6 – Makenzie Fessler and Darius Yohe pulled down a team-high six boards.
14  - Codi Whitlock led William Woods with 14 points, shooting .778 percent from the field.