ST. LOUIS — After spending time with family over the holiday break, (RV) William Woods University (12-2) returned to action for a memorable exhibition matchup at the oldest university west of the Mississippi River, NCAA Division I Saint Louis University (7-6) Saturday night at Chaifetz Arena. 

Not often can an NAIA program say it kept it close with a Division I opponent. The Owls can, taking three early leads before the Billikens went up by double digits for good with 14:21 left and won the contest - an official game for SLU - 78-57.

"That game was great for us," William Woods men's basketball coach Jordan Ashton said. "When you're playing a team like that, any time you're not on point with your principles or you relax at all, they make you pay. We needed that challenge. We've got to learn from that game and grow from it."

William Woods' reigning American Midwest Conference Newcomer of the Year Francis Okwuosah, a double-double threat most nights, nearly had one at a Division I team's place, tallying 16 points (6-12 field goals and 4-7 3-pointers) and a game-high seven rebounds. Fellow first-team All-AMC honoree Henry Shannon III joined Okwuosah in double figures scoring for the Owls, posting 11 points (4-6 field goals and 3-5 free throws) and two boards.

D'Mari Wiltz, who was quite the Swiss Army knife for WWU with five points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals, sent the Owls in front first by scoring a layup after the Billikens turned it over on their opening possession. After a few fruitless drives between the two teams, SLU's Gibson Jimerson stole it from WWU, and Kalu Anya hit a fastbreak basket while getting fouled to tie it at 2. Anya missed his and-1 attempt, and Nate Schwartze pulled down a rebound before taking it to the other end and landing a jumper to bring The Woods back on top, 4-2.

Just under a minute later, the Billikens took their second lead, 6-4, as Jimerson drained a 3-pointer following an Amari McCottry steal. For the third and final time, the Owls had the upper hand, with Tre Titus knocking down a triple off a Wiltz assist to make it 7-6 WWU with 17:02 remaining in the first half. Although that was the Owls' final advantage, they did tie it at 9, and late in the first half, Woods went on a 9-4 run - the Billiken in specs, Robbie Avila, notching three of its points in that time - with Shannon recording six points and Aaiden Ashton sinking a 3 in the stretch. Shannon's two free throw makes with 3:50 before halftime capped the run and cut the Owls' deficit to 36-30. Following that, SLU outscored WWU 8-4 to hold a 44-34 lead at the break.

The Owls wanted to stay in the game, and they did that in an entertaining way as Shannon began the second-half offense with a dunk from a Wiltz helper. Nearly a minute later, Okwuosah brought down a rebound off Avila's brick, and Schwartze swished in his jumper to reduce WWU's deficit to 44-38. That was the closest the Owls got to the Billikens in the second half. However, they responded from trailing by double digits and narrowed their deficit to single digits for the last time, 49-40, on Titus' putback with 14:28 to go. Seven seconds later, Kobe Johnson gave SLU a double-digit lead for good, making an inside bucket. From that point to the final buzzer, the Billikens outscored the Owls 29-17, with WWU's early foul trouble making it a challenge late.

William Woods collected 35 rebounds (eight offensive) with 10 second-chance points, posted 19 points off 14 forced turnovers and shot 39% (23-59) from the field, 27.3% (6-22) from 3-point range and 45.5% (5-11) at the free-throw line. SLU pulled down 37 boards (six offensive) with six second-chance points, registered 20 points off 17 forced turnovers and converted 54% (27-50) from the field, 42.1% (8-19) from deep and 50% (16-32) at the charity stripe.

"We're thankful for the opportunity to compete with those guys," Ashton said. "Love what Coach Schertz and his staff do. We wish them the best of luck the rest of the season and look forward to following their success."

Saturday's game marked the end of the Owls' 2024 portion of the schedule. William Woods has official matchups for the remainder of the season, jumping into 2025 by hosting Haskell Indian Nations University (4-11) at 6 p.m. on Jan. 6 at Anderson Arena in Fulton.