LaGRANGE, Ga. – Despite a slow start, the Mississippi University for Women men's basketball team kept the pressure on versus Huntingdon College, before eventually seeing the game slip away in the waning minutes, 62-54. The Owls fell to 0-2 on the young season, while the Hawks improved to 3-1.
 
"We moved the needle forward some this afternoon and played better for longer stretches today against a physical, gritty, and well-coached team in Huntingdon," The W Head Coach Dean Burrows said. "We knew coming in that they did a good job of getting on the offensive glass and that was an emphasis of ours, but they managed to get the better of us in that area today. In our program, we have a term that we want to instill in our guys and that's 'Everything Matters.' I believe that we are starting to understand that and the 'why' of what we do what we do."
 
"Our defensive effort was better and only allowing 62 points in a college game - especially the way the game is officiated today - is something we can hang our hat on and build upon."
 
Both teams struggled offensively to open the game. With 10:45 to go in the first half, the Owls trailed 11-5 and did not have a field goal. That was until Quintyus Causey was inserted into The W lineup and promptly buried a three-ball to make it 11-8.
 
Although the Hawks never trailed in the contest – with three ties in the opening half - the Owls managed to stay within close range. The W was within a single basket at the half, 30-28. But MUW was out-scored in the second segment, 32-26, as Huntingdon created some separation.
 
The W was led in scoring by Milos Zeradjanin. Zeradjanin had 13 points, hitting 3-of-5 field goals – all from beyond the arc – and converting 4-of-4 free throws. The Serbian sophomore also grabbed four rebounds and dished four assists.
 
Trey Jackson and Ddallen Bailey each hit double figures with 10 points apiece. Jackson contributed three rebounds and two steals. Bailey pulled down six rebounds.
 
Causey would finish with eight points.
 
Shon Wright had game-high rebound honors, pulling down eight caroms. He also had three points and three assists.
 
JaQuan Hines, a senior from Columbus, continued his torrid shot-blocking skein to open 2021-22. Versus Huntingdon, Hines registered five blocks. Combined with the four he had in Friday's opener, the 6-foot-7 forward has nine "rejections" in two outings.
 
All those performances are what makes Burrows excited for his team's potential.
 
"Once we decide that we will consistently execute what we work on and emphasize daily on the offensive end, we have the opportunity to be an interesting group," Burrows surmised. "Sooner rather than later. I'm personally proud of how Quintiyus Causey came in and gave us a spark, not only on the offensive end, but overall with his energy. We are looking forward to getting home and opening that portion of the schedule in the '662' and Pohl Gymnasium."
 
The Owls next host Belhaven on Tuesday (Nov. 16/7 p.m.).