Owls’ Defense Unravels Eutectics

The Eutectic men's basketball team travelled to Fulton, Mo., for an American Midwest Conference (AMC) matchup on Thursday night, hoping to upset the William Woods University Owls (9-5, 2-1 AMC) on their home court. The Owls, who have won the last five meeting with the Eutectics, had other ideas, racking up 21 team assists and 12 steals, forcing 21 turnovers by the Eutectics for an 89-54 victory over UHSP.

The Owls took control of the game early, scoring the first eight points of the game before Moctar Keita layed in a bucket and Jas Suvalija drained a triple to close the gap to 8-5. Two layups from Dwight Newsome got the Euts within one point at 10-9 after five minutes. After a put-back by Landon Engelage at 10:41, the score was 20-15. The Owls then seized the momentum, forcing three UHSP turnovers to go on a nine-point scoring run and went on to extend their lead throughout the half. By halftime, WWU boasted a 19-point advantage at 47-28.

The second half was much the same, as the Owls forced another 13 UHSP turnovers, converting those to 13 points as they continued to extend their lead. The home team racked up 12 teams assists on 42 points in the period while holding the Purple and Gold to 26 points.

Newsome was the high scorer for the Eutectics, going 6-for-8 from the floor, including two triples and a free throw. Suvalija also reached double digits in scoring with 13 points, including three 3-point field goals, and added six rebounds. Keita (8), Sean Paradise Jr. (7), Brady Bowers (6), Engelage (3), and Braylon Rios (2) scored the rest of UHSP's points. RJ Steckler put up two blocks for the Euts.

Francis Okwuosah had a double double for the Owls with 22 points and 13 rebounds.

Now 1-13, the Eutectics are still looking for their first Conference victory of the season. They will continue with AMC competition, travelling to Columbia, Mo., this Saturday, Jan. 13, to take on Columbia College (11-4, 2-1 AMC) at 3 p.m.