FULTON, Mo. – The William Woods University women's basketball team opened the American Midwest Conference Championship with a 68-55 win over Hannibal-LaGrange University. The Owls now advance to the quarterfinal round.
The Owls travel to one-seed Lyon College (Ark.) on Thursday, Feb. 24, for a 7 p.m. tip. The winner advances to the semifinal round.
By the Numbers
21 – Natalie Thomas put up a floor-high 21 points (7-15 FG, 4-8 3FG, 3-4 FT).
12 – Tori Nesslage added 12 points (4-7 FG, 3-3 FT).
11- Kasey Hazell scored 11 points.
10 – Jheda Kennedy scored 10 points.
7 – Amaya Keeling recorded seven rebounds with six coming from the defensive end.
Game Flow
The Owls grabbed the lead with an FG and +1 in the paint by Hazell who converted the free throw, 3-0. HLG answered with a three-point by Simpson to tie the game 3-3. Thomas scored her first three of the night to take back the lead, 6-3. HLG scored seven points in a row to grab a 10-6 lead with 3:41 left in the first quarter. Another three points by Thomas assisted by Kennedy, followed by two free throws converted by Nesslage, gave the Owls the lead back, 11-10. HLG hit a three-pointer, grabbing the lead once again, 13-11, but Thomas hit a two pointer to tie the first quarter 13-13. HLG took the lead with a field goal, 15-13, but Keeling converted a three-pointer to take back the lead, 16-15 with 01:01 left. The Owls ended the first quarter leading by three after a FG in the paint by Keeling, 18-15.
The Owls started the second quarter with a 6-0 run, taking a 11-point lead, 26-15. HLG scored a three-pointer to cut the deficit to eight, 26-18. Rodgers scored a field goal, and Thomas converted one free throw to extend the lead to 29-18 with 4:52 left in the first half. HLG scored two points but the Owls scored five points in a row to lead, 34-20. HLG hit a field goal but the Owls responded to keep the lead 36-22 with 00:51 left in the second quarter. HLG scored the last bucket of the half to send the game into the third quarter with the Owls leading by 12, 36-24.
HLG started off the third quarter with a 3-0 run to cut the deficit to nine, 36-27. Nesslage scored a bucket in the paint but HLG responded with four of their own with the Owls to trim the margin to seven, 38-31. Kennedy hit a field goal in the paint adding to the lead 40-31. HLG converted one free throw, reducing the lead to 40-32 but Thomas answered with two free throws of her own to put the Owls lead to 10, 42-32. HLG shot a two but the Owls reeled off seven unanswered to extend the lead 49-34 with 2:22 left in the third quarter. HLG converted a pair of free throws but Kennedy nailed a three for the Owls to maintain the lead 52-36. HLG had a 5-0 run in the last minute of the quarter to cut the lead to eleven, 52-41. Arriyonn Phillips nailed a three assisted by Kennedy to end the third quarter up 55-41.
HLG opened the fourth quarter with a bucket in the paint before the Owls scored three points followed by a FG to extend the lead 60-43. HLG scored four points in a row but Kennedy hit a field goal helping extend the lead 62-47. HLG scored a three but the Owls quickly shot a two point in the paint, giving them a 64-50 lead with 2:14 left in the fourth quarter. HLG hit a bucket but Thomas responded with one of her own to maintain the lead 66-52. HLG added three points but the Owls ended the game with Hazell converting a pair of free throws.
