FULTON, Mo. – The William Woods University women's basketball team fell to Missouri Baptist University Thursday evening, 75-68.
 
Natalie Thomas was two three-pointers away from tying the game-day three-point field goal with six.
 
The Owls travel to Harris-Stowe State University on Saturday, Feb. 6, for a 1 p.m. tip-off.
 
By the Numbers
27 – Natalie Thomas put up a floor-high 27 points (8-12 FG, 6-8 3FG, 5-8 FT). 
21 – Natalie Thomas sat with 21 points after the first half with five three-pointers.    
12 – Kiyanna Rodgers added 12 points (4-for-14 FG). 
11 – Amaya Keeling scored 11 points. 
8 – Arryionn Phillips recorded 6 defensive rebounds and 8 total and Jheda Kennedy had eight assists.
 
Game Flow
Missouri Baptist grabbed the lead with an early jumper until Rodgers made one free throw to cut the deficit to 1. The Owls struggled early from the floor, affording Missouri Baptist a 7-0 lead out of the gate and still 9-1 with 6:12 left in the first quarter. Thomas fouled on a three, and converted all three from the line to cut the deficit to five, 9-4. A steal by Kennedy converted by Keeling cut the game to 9-6. A three-point by Thomas tied the game at 9-9 with 3:07 left in the first quarter. MBU responded with a 5-0 run to take a five-point lead, 14-9. Rodgers nailed a three, cutting the game to two, 14-12. The Owls ended the first quarter with a final free throw by Thomas to cut the deficit to one, 14-13.
 
MBU opened the second quarter with two field goals before Thomas answered with a three, 18-16. MBU bounced back with a 5-0 run, 23-16. The Owls clawed back with nine unanswered points to take the lead for the first time in the game, 25-23, with 4:40 left in the half. MBU tied the game with a field goal, 25-25, but Keeling shot a three to take back the lead, 28-25. Both teams had a two-minute scoring drought until a field goal by MBU cut the game to one, 28-27. The Owls had an eight-point run to finish the half to lead by nine, 36-27.
 
Keeling opened the second half with five points, bringing the score to 40-35 in the third quarter. MBU put up a 7-0 run to take back the lead, 42-40. Five points between Rodgers and Kasey Hazell helped the Owls take the lead again, 45-42. MBU nailed a three to again take the lead, but a Phillips' jumper cut the game to one, 48-47. MBU added a three to end the third up 51-48.
 
The Owls were outscored 24-20 in the final quarter to fall 75-68.