Jared Howerton hit a game-high 23 points Tuesday night to steer nationally-ranked College of the Ozarks to an 84-68 victory over the William Woods University Owls at Anderson Arena.
Howerton - who was 7-of-12 from the field, including 4-of-8 on 3-pointers - was one of three players to score in double figures for C of O, ranked No. 18 in NAIA Division II. The Bobcats (5-3) outscored William Woods 22-10 in the last 6 minutes of the first half to take a 47-34 lead into halftime.
The Owls (1-8) trailed by 19 points - 65-46 - with 12 minutes to play, but then went on an 18-9 run over the next 7 minutes to cut their deficit to 10. William Woods, though, wouldn't get any closer.
Senior guard Dan Anderson and sophomore guard Logan Decker came up with 13 points apiece to direct the Owls, who shot just 39 percent (24-of-61) as a team and committed 20 turnovers. Junior forward Caleb Parry and junior guard Robert Williams each posted 10 points.
Parry pulled down a team-high seven rebounds as William Woods was edged on the boards 36-35.
Mike Wiebe was next with 19 points for C of O, which shot 50 percent (26-of-52) from the field but had to weather 27 turnovers. Spencer Blair also contributed 10 points.
The Owls open play in the Greenville (Ill.) College Tournament against Lindenwood University-Belleville at 6 p.m. Friday.
William Woods
softball team adds
in-state recruit
Lady Owls head coach Tracy Gastineau has announced the signing of Grain Valley senior Nicole Hamdorf to a letter of intent for the 2012 season.
Hamdorf - a 5-foot-5 infielder-outfielder - earned four varsity letters at Grain Valley. She was a first-team all-region, all-district and all-conference selection.
"We are excited to have Nicole join our program and university," Gastineau said. "She has good hands in the infield and is an offensive threat for opposing pitchers.
"Nicole is a complete student-athlete that finds success on the field and in the classroom. We look forward to her being a part of our program for the next four years."