BLUE MOUNTAIN, Miss. – For the second-consecutive game, the Mississippi University for Women men's basketball team fought its way back from a double-digit deficit late in the game, only to have its efforts come up short. This time, the Owls came out on the wrong end of a 74-66 decision versus Bethel University at the Johnnie Armstrong Classic at Blue Mountain College.
 
The W trailed by 14 (35-21) at halftime and found itself down by as much as 17 – 40-23 -  with 17:29 left in the contest. A 12-2 run by the Owls got them to within seven points, 42-35, on a Brien Kimmons layup.
 
With 1:51 left on the clock, MUW still found itself down by 13 points, 68-55. The W, however, would hit three-consecutive three-point baskets – two by Terryonte Thomas sandwiching a trey by Shon Wright -  to draw to within four points (68-64) with 52 seconds to play.
 
But the Owls would get no closer. Bethel converted all six of its free throws in the waning seconds for the 74-66 final score.
 
Thomas scored 19 of his game-leading 23 points in the second half. Thomas finished the night hitting 8-of-22 from the floor, including four made from beyond the arc. He also led The W with nine rebounds and four assists.
 
Thomas Wright was 7-for-11 from the field, en route to a 14-point effort. He also had five rebounds to his credit.
 
Trey Jackson finished the game with a balanced seven points and six rebounds. Ddallen Bailey also booked seven points and Kimmons finished with five.
 
Dariun Doss and Shon Wright each contributes three points. Two points, apiece, from JaQuan Hines and Tanner Collins.
 
Hines added two more blocked shots to his season total, giving him 17 in seven games played. Hines has at least one rejection in all seven of his appearances for the Owls.
 
The W will next face tournament host Blue Mountain College on Saturday (Dec. 11). Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. at Tyler Gym.