COLUMBIA, Mo. - The WWU Owls were outscored by the Culver-Stockton Wildcats 46-34 in the second half of their loss Friday in the Columbia College Cougars vs. Cancer Classic.
William Woods University (1-1) carried a slim 36-34 edge into the break, but Culver-Stockton College took control by shooting a sizzling 58 percent (19-of-33) over the final 20 minutes.
The Owls closed within 72-67 on senior guard Deon Pettigrew's basket in the paint with 1:10 left. The Wildcats, though, countered with six unanswered points - four coming on free throws - to clinch the win.
Junior guard Shannon James - who was 10-of-17 from the field - logged 23 points to guide William Woods, which shot 44 percent (27-of-61) as a team. Pettigrew followed with 16 points.
Junior forward Brandon Vice grabbed a team-high nine rebounds as the Owls were edged on the boards 40-38.
Campbell Millar also delivered 23 points to spur four players in double figures for Culver-Stockton, which shot 48 percent (31-of-65) for the game. Nikola Maric added 16 points, Thaddeus Newby provided 14 and Francesc Iturria had 10.