COLUMBIA - The Owls suffered a gut-wrenching American Midwest Conference loss to the Cougars when Braden Wendel scored on a putback as time expired Thursday night.
William Woods University trailed 27-25 at halftime and throughout the second half - by as many as seven points - before pulling even at 68-all on junior forward Makenzie Fessler's basket in the paint with 20 seconds left.
The Owls suffered their second straight loss in dropping to 5-5 on the season and 2-2 in the AMC. Columbia College is also 5-5 overall and 2-2 in conference play.
Sophomore forward Andrew Nett was 4-of-7 from the field - including 3-of-6 from 3-point range - to finish with a team-high 11 points for William Woods, which shot 42 percent (25-of-59) as a team. Senior guard Treshawn Gause was next with 10 points.
Fessler grabbed eight rebounds as the Owls were edged on the boards 39-37.
Justin Shaw countered with a game-high 15 points to direct three players in double figures for the Cougars, who shot 44 percent (27-of-62) from the field. Thibault Benabid added 13 points, while Jack Fritsche delivered a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
William Woods travelled to Lindenwood University-Belleville (Ill.) for an AMC contest Saturday. Results were not available at press time.