WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. – The William Woods University women's basketball team traveled to Williams Baptist University after a quick mix-up of their schedule due to multiple conference schools' quarantines. Coming off an overtime win over Hannibal-LaGrange, the Owls were unable to hit the game-tying shot against WBU to send the game into overtime. The Owls fell 74-71 in the close match-up, dropping them to 2-5 on the season.
 
The Owls next play Missouri Baptist University on Thursday, Feb. 4, as a COVID-19 reschedule. Tip-off for the home game is at 5:30 p.m.
 
By The Numbers
22 – Natalie Thomas drained nine field goals to put up 22 points.
18 – Arriyonn Phillips went 7-for-13 from the field for 18 points.
10 – Kasey Hazell added 10 points to the day (5-for-12 FG).
9 – Kasey Hazell was just one rebound shy of a double-double as she pulled down nine boards.
8 – Arriyonn Phillips grabbed eight rebounds.
4 – Jheda Kennedy assisted four shots.
 
Game Flow
A three from Natalie Thomas gave the Owls a one-point lead just under two minutes into the game, but WBU pushed their lead to six with 4:53 to play in the first quarter, 13-7. Jheda Kennedy scored five with a long jumper and a three to bring the game within one, and Thomas hit a bucket to take the lead once again with 2:59 to play, 14-13. WBU ended the quarter with a two-point lead, 18-16.
 
WBU pushed their lead to 12 halfway through the second quarter. Kennedy and Thomas combined for a five-point run to cut the game to seven with 2:21 left in the half. WBU stayed one step ahead, and the Owls headed into halftime trailing by nine, 44-35.
 
The Owls bombarded WBU with a 15-3 run through the first five minutes of the second half, taking a three-point lead, 50-47. WBU took back the lead with a 5-0 run, but two free throws from Kiyanna Rodgers evened up the score with 2:31 on the clock, 54-54. Arriyonn Phillips hit a three with 12 seconds on the clock to take a one-point lead heading into the final quarter, 59-58. The Owls outscored WBU 24-14 in the third quarter.
 
The lead bounced back-and-fourth five times in the first three minutes of the fourth quarter. WBU grabbed hold of the lead, but the Owls tied it up three times before a field goal by Phillips with 2:30 on the clock gave the Owls a two-point advantage, 71-69. WBU hit a three with just over a minute to play, taking a one-point lead, 72-71. Following an Owls' turnover and timeout, the team was forced to foul to stop the clock. WBU went 2-for-2 from the foul line to take a three-point lead, 74-71. The Owls attempted one last play, but the three to tie the game missed, ending with a loss.