COLUMBIA, Mo. – A struggling first quarter led the William Woods University women's basketball team to a loss to Stephens College Thursday evening, 75-62. The Owls started the game with a 21-9 deficit following the first 10 minutes of play.
The loss drops the team to 3-7 on the season with a 1-3 conference mark. Stephens improves to 9-1 on the season and remains undefeated in conference play.
The Owls play their last conference game of the calendar year on Saturday, Dec. 17, at Central Baptist College. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m.
23 –
Natalie Thomas scored a floor-high 23 points.
16 –
Sydney Booker put up 16 points (6-13 FG, 4-5 FT) for a double-double.
11 –
Sydney Booker pulled down 11 boards with 10 coming from the defensive end.
5 –
Jersee Wren went a perfect 5-for-5 from the foul line and recorded a team-high five assists.
Stephens pushed a 10-2 run in the last five minutes of the first quarter to take a 21-9 lead.
A 9-0 run spanning a minute and a half midway through the second quarter cut the Owls' deficit to just five points with 5:12 to play, 29-24. Stephens responded with a 6-0 run to put their lead back to double digits, but back-to-back jumpers from
Natalie Thomas and
Sydney Booker brought the Owls within seven with just under a minute to play, 35-28.
A three from Thomas with 6:09 on the clock in the third quarter brought the Owls within six, 41-35. Stephens again pushed their lead back to double digits, and with an 11-0 run, they held a 19-point lead, 59-40.
The Owls outscored Stephens 8-2 in the final three minutes of the game to end with a 75-62 loss.
