JACKSON, Miss. – DJ Clark led the Owls in their match-up against the University of Dallas on Saturday, Nov. 24. The senior forward scored 22 points to tie the game-high and brought down 15 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. Despite the effort, the Owls were unable to stop Crusaders from scoring to fall 86-83 in their first game of the Millsaps Thanksgiving Classic.

"We had a chance to win but couldn't get enough stops down the stretch," said head coach Brian Merkel. "We've got to continue to focus on doing the little things to get over the hump. The effort is there; we just need to continue to focus on the little things."

Tre Pinkston, Ill'yan Scott, and Josh Skinner also lent double-digit scoring to The W scoreboard. Pinkston, junior guard, put up 16 points with four assists; Scott, junior forward, put up 14 points with six rebounds, one assist, and two blocks; and senior guard Josh Skinner scored 10 points with two assists, two rebounds, and one block.

As a team, The W went 42.9 percent (30-70) from the field, 34.8 percent (8-23) in 3-point range, and 75.0 percent (15-20) at the free-throw line.

The Crusaders were 46.5 percent (26-56) from the field, 31.6 percent (6-19) from beyond the arc, and 82.4 percent (28-34) from the line.

The Owls will return to action tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 25 when they take on Howard Payne University in the second day of the Millsaps Classic. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.