FULTON, Mo. - William Woods University (4-4) wrapped up the Thanksgiving holiday break against cross-town foe Westminster College on Saturday night, picking up an 89-79 win behind a 28-point night from
DJ Purnell. The senior missed just four times on the night, including a 10-11 performance at the free throw line, as the Owls downed the Blue Jays.
Although Westminster was playing this contest as an exhibition, the Blue Jays came out with a fiery intensity, leading for a good portion of the first half as the Owls were slow to find their shooting touch.
Ty'Shon Pannell hit first for the Owls, converting a second-chance layup after a missed three. After
Joey Brown IV smacked away an effort by Ben Eberlin with
Francis Okwuosah knocking down a jumper on the other end, a 30-second timeout looked to reset the momentum.
Jack Fessenden singlehandedly powered the Blue Jays on a 13-6 run, scoring nine points and adding two assists to put WC in front 13-10.
Woods answered the brief lead with steals on three straight Westminster possessions to reclaim a 17-13 lead. The Owls stretched out to a 28-15 lead with just over six minutes left in the half, holding Westminster at arm's length down the stretch. Panell nearly claimed a buzzer-beater on a last-second steal, but his triple from beyond half court was just inches long, hitting off the back iron.
Westminster used an unconventional four-point spurt on its first possession of the half to close within three points, as Eberlin drew a foul in the lane. He missed the second free throw, but Bryson Jeffries pulled down the rebound and fed brother Brennan Jeffries for a three-pointer from the left wing.
The 35-32 margin was the closest Woods allowed Westminster in the second half, however. The Owls responded immediately, pulling away to a 48-35 lead with 16:28 to go on a Purnell three-point play.
WWU extended its lead as far as 19 points, with Purnell knocking down a pair of free throws with 8:42 on the clock to put Woods in front 73-54.
Westminster showed brief signs of a comeback, hitting four straight baskets from beyond the arc as part of a 10-for-15 second half pace, but Woods took care of business on the free throw line and forced three big turnovers down the stretch to run out the clock.
Gacoby Jones Jr., and Henry Shannon II both joined Purnell in double figures as the Owls shot exactly 50 percent (33-66) on the night from the field, knocking down 19 of their 26 (73.1 percent) free throw attempts as well.
Woods returns to the friendly confines of Anderson Arena on Dec. 2, playing the final game on the current floor against Arkansas Baptist College. After the 2 p.m. contest, the floor at Anderson Arena will get a well-deserved holiday facelift.
