BATESVILLE, Ark. – The William Woods University women's basketball team started Saturday's game at No. 18 Lyon College with a strong first half, but was unable to withhold the momentum in the 53-34 loss. The Owls fall to 8-4 on the season with a 3-4 conference mark. 
 
The Owls take eight days off for the holidays before jumping back in with an exhibition game at Southern Illinois University on Dec. 29. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m.
 
By The Numbers
11 – Carleigh Jenkins scored a team-high 11 points (3-for-10 FG, 4-for-4 FT).
7 – Tori Nesslage added seven points for the Owls.
6 – Nesslage pulled down a team-high six rebounds.
5 – Three Owls pulled down five boards.
3 – Jazlyn Drake grabbed three steals.
 
Game Flow
Carleigh Jenkins hit a three to start the scoring for the Owls 1:33 into the game, and a three by Tori Nesslage gave the Owls their first lead of the game, 8-7.
 
Nesslage followed with an in-the-paint bucket to put the Owls up 10-7 halfway through the first quarter. 
 
Lyon went 4-for-4 from the foul line to take back the lead, but Peyton Greenlee countered with a jumper to give the Owls back a one-point lead with 3:10 to play, 12-11. 
 
Lyon scored the next five to take back the lead, 16-12.
 
Jenkins scored the final points of the quarter to bring the game within two with 28 seconds on the clock, 18-16.
 
The Owls took over three minutes to score in the second quarter, but Jenkins and Katie French combined for four points in under a minute span to cut the game to one, 21-20. 
 
Lyon pushed back out by five and later pushed it to eight with 2:16 left in the half, 30-22.
 
Jenkins was fouled on the shot, sending her to the line with 1:14 on the clock. She went 2-for-2, bringing the game to 30-24 heading into halftime.
 
Greenlee and Kaycee Gerald scored back-to-back buckets to start the second half, cutting the game to two less than a minute in, 30-28. 
 
Lyon answered with a 10-0 run while holding the Owls from scoring again until 33 seconds left in the quarter. 
 
Jenkins broke the Owls' silence, bringing the game within 10 heading into the final quarter, 40-30.
 
The Owls were held to four points in the final quarter while Lyon put up 13 to win 53-34.