Box Score HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss. – A sluggish first half cost the Mississippi University for Women any hopes for a men's basketball road win, instead falling at Rust College, 83-65. The Owls stumbled out of the blocks and trailed the Bearcats, 45-29, at the half.
 
In the second stanza, however, The W came out reinvigorated, basically, playing host Rust even. The Bearcats out-scored the Owls by just two points (38-36), leaving visiting MUW too far in the red after the opening 20 minutes.
 
Thomas Wright (Pensacola, Fla.), a junior forward, continued his blistering shooting, not slowing at all over the break. Versus the Bearcats, Wright was right on target with a team-high 21 points. And, as has been his trademark, did so with great efficiency by going 9-for-11 from the floor. He also pulled down four rebounds in 23 minutes on the floor.
 
In his last six games, Wright is shooting an eye-popping 82 percent, drilling 36-of-44 field goal tries.
 
Guards Quintiyus Causey and Terryonte Thomas each reached double-digit scoring for The W, as well. Causey was 5-of-11 from the field, accounting for two of his team's four three-point baskets made, finishing the night with 12 points. He dished off for four assists, as well.
 
Thomas, a senior from Columbus, registered his eighth-consecutive double-figure scoring effort in as many games played for the Owls. Thomas added 11 points to the MUW coffers, to go along with team-high totals of eight rebounds, four assists (matching Causey) and two steals.
 
Fellow Columbus-product – and senior – JaQuan Hines added to his already-impressive defensive ledger. Hines blocked five shots by Rust players – matching his game high (also versus Huntingdon in November) – and upping his 2021-22 season total 23 rejections in 13 games played.
 
The "Battle of the Boards" was also close to level, with RC grabbing one more rebound than the Owls, 43-42.
 
The W will next take the floor at home on Saturday (Jan. 8/3 p.m.), hosting Covenant College at Pohl Gym.