ST. LOUIS - The William Woods University Lady Owls shot a feeble 25% (14-of-56) as a team and had their two-game winning streak halted in a decisive 77-37 American Midwest Conference loss to Missouri Baptist University on Thursday night.
William Woods - which also bowed to Missouri Baptist 75-68 on Feb. 4 in Fulton - dropped to 4-9 both on the season and in the AMC. Despite Thursday night's loss, the Lady Owls met the threshold of games to be included in the top tier in the COVID-19 amendments for the AMC championship.
Missouri Baptist took charge from the start Thursday night, racing to an 18-9 lead after one quarter. The Lady Spartans owned a 32-21 advantage at the break and then turned the contest into a runaway by outscoring William Woods 45-15 in the second half.
Junior guard Kiyanna Rodgers came off the bench to lead the Lady Owls with eight points. Senior guard Tori Nesslage and junior guard Jheda Kennedy finished with six points apiece.
Junior guard Amaya Keeling collected a game-high nine rebounds to guide William Woods to a 36-35 edge on the boards.
Tionne Taylor and Sara Hermosa shared game scoring honors with 12 points apiece to pace five players in double figures for Missouri Baptist, which shot 49% (28-of-57) from the field. Joelle Atkins, Kamryn Mack and Rose Wassef each had 10 points.
The Lady Owls have a quick turnaround in travelling to Central Baptist (Ark.) College for a rescheduled AMC matchup at 2 p.m. today. William Woods downed Central Baptist 56-47 on Feb. 11 in Fulton.
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Ryan Boland can be reached at (573) 826-2422, or on Twitter @FultonSunSports.