Eagles Drop Close One to Owls

The Eagles led a tight, defensive contest for the first eight minutes of the game before the Owls were able to take their first lead of the game. For the next seven minutes, each team swapped baskets until the Owls went on an 11-6 run to end the first half with a 41-36 lead. 

For the first ten minutes of the second half, the Owls were maintain a lead over the Eagles and led 59-54 with 10:53 left in the game. The Eagles then went on an 8-2 run to retake the lead. For the rest of the game, neither team led by more than three points and the lead swapped five times. Rajhon McIntosh tied the game at 73 with 2:47 left with a three-pointer. The Owls were able to make three free-throws down the stretch to retake a three-point lead. McIntosh was fouled going up for a layup with a minute left, and he was able to convert one free-throw to bring the Eagles back within two. William Woods missed two free-throws with four seconds left and Shackeel Butters gathered the rebound and pushed the ball down the court before handing it off to Jayvon Clark who shot a three that bounced off the rim to end the game. 

Butters led the Eagles with 15 points. Tyreon Hardin had 14, while McIntosh and Jaymes Jackson both had 12. 

Butters also led the team on the boards with 9. 

The Eagles forced 23 turnovers and had 24 points off those turnovers. 

Williams shot 37.8% from the field (28-74), 20.8% from the three-point line (5-24), and 72.2% from the free-throw line (13-18).

Up Next

The Eagles travel to St. Louis, Mo. on Tuesday, Jan. 11 for a matchup against the Missouri Baptist Spartans. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.