FULTON, Mo. – The women's basketball team narrowly fell to Harris-Stowe State University Saturday afternoon, 64-60. Freshman Natalie Thomas put up a career- and game-high 27 points. The Owls fall to 1-2 on the season following the loss.
 
The Owls head to the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy on Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 5:30 p.m.
 
By The Numbers
27 – Natalie Thomas put up a career- and game-high 27 points (10-18 FG, 6-11 3FG).
13 – Jheda Kennedy added 13 points with three three-pointers and four free throws.
9 – Arriyonn Phillips pulled down a floor-high nine rebounds.
7 – Skylyr Leake finished with seven rebounds and seven points.
4 – Kiyanna Rodgers grabbed four steals.
 
Game Flow
The Owls won the tip and scored first, but HSSU took a six-point lead over the first five minutes of the game, 11-5. Two good free throws from Kiyanna Rodgers and one free throw from Skylyr Leake put the Owls within two with 2:52 on the clock, but HSSU ended the quarter with a five-point lead, 17-12.
 
HSSU pushed their lead to 11 coming into the second quarter, 23-12. A powerful 12-0 run over a three-minute span put the Owls back in the lead with 3:51 on the clock. On the next play, HSSU went 2-for-2 from the foul line to take back the lead. They scored the final six points of the half on free throws to send the game into halftime with HSSU up 32-27.
 
WWU started the second half fiercely, racking up a 14-3 run through the first five minutes to take a six-point lead, 41-35. They held HSSU scoreless for the first four minutes. HSSU took the lead with a fast break layup with 1:39 on the clock, but a three from Jheda Kennedy on the next play put the Owls back up by two, 48-46. HSSU put in a two in the paint to send the game into the final quarter tied, 48-48.
 
The start of the final quarter went back-and-forth with the possession until HSSU pushed an 8-0 run to take a six-point lead with 2:37 on the clock, 59-53. A three from Natalie Thomas brought the Owls within three, but HSSU answered with a fast break layup following a steal to go back up by five with 1:37 on the clock. Coming out of a timeout with 8 seconds on the clock, Thomas drained a three and was fouled on the play. She made the free throw with ease, bringing the Owls within two, 62-60. The Owls fouled to stop the clock. HSSU missed their second free throw, and Rodgers grabbed the rebound. Coming out of a second timeout, the Owls turned the ball over with five seconds on the clock. WWU fouled to stop the clock, and HSSU went 1-for-2 to end the game with a four-point Owls' loss, 64-60.