CONWAY, Ark. - Despite running into a 27-6 discrepancy in free throw attempts on the night, William Woods (10-7, 2-3 AMC) came up just short in a battle with first place Central Baptist College (16-4, 6-0 AMC) on Thursday night, falling 74-68. All six of the Owls trips to the charity line came in the first half, as Woods went the entirety of the second half without being awarded a single free throw.
In a matchup between two of the top offenses in the AMC it was the defense that reigned supreme in the first half. Woods jumped out to a 16 point lead, with a
Jared Crutcher jumper with 8:33 remaining in the half putting the Owls up 23-7. CBC finished the half on a 25-9 run to cut the Owl lead to 32-26. Both teams struggled from the field as Woods shot 40 percent (12-30) and CBC just 31.03 percent (9-29).
Central Baptist found its offensive groove in the second half, outscoring Woods 11-4 over the first five minutes to take a 37-36 lead with 15:17.
Woods answered with an 8-3 run, capped by a runner in the lane from
Nate Schwartze with 11:20 left that put the Owls up 44-40. The lead changed hands five times over the next four minutes before the Mustangs finally established a seven-point cushion, leading 59-52 with 4:42 left in the half.
Back-to-back treys by
Francis Okwuosah and
Tre Titus pulled WWU to a 59-58 deficit, but the Mustangs sandwiched a pair of jumpers around a three by Deshawn Corprew to reclaim a multiple possession lead with 2:05 left.
Woods was in foul trouble most of the game, whistled for 23 fouls to CBC's 13. The Mustangs finished the night 15-27 from the free throw line while the Owls were 3-6 and were not awarded a free throw in the second half.
Okwuosah led the Owls in scoring with 12 points and
Henry Shannon III finished with 11 points, while Schwartze and
Jared Crutcher each finished with 10 points, a career high for Crutcher. The Owls continue the long road trip, traveling to take on Williams Baptist University Saturday at 3 p.m.
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