ST. LOUIS, Mo. – With her team laboring due to injuries, freshman Jas Patrick (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) gave the Mississippi University for Women women's basketball team a herculean effort. But in the end, it was not enough as the Owls (0-2) were defeated by Aurora University (2-0) in the Webster University Classic.
 
To be fair, MUW's bench had plenty of vacancies due to several recent physical setbacks for Head Coach Drew Johnson's squad. As a matter-of-fact, by the end of the first quarter only one sub was available to the Owls. Yet – buoyed by Patrick's efforts – The W battled heartily to the end, versus a Spartans' team that deployed 19 players, often in wave substitutions, against the youthful Owls.
 
With subbing options at a premium, Patrick was on the floor all 40 minutes (as was fellow newcomer Conley Langford and sophomore Jaycee Haynes). And Patrick took full advantage of the opportunity.
 
Hitting 10-of-24 from the field, Patrick finished with game-leading totals for both points (31) and rebounds (9). For good measure, she also chipped in two assists and two steals. Patrick's 31 points ties for the fifth-most points ever scored in a game by an Owls' player.
 
Conley ended the evening with 11 points and eight rebounds. Haynes matched Patrick for top rebounder honors with nine, as well. Haynes and Conley each made a pair of steals.
 
MUW trailed 22-3 after one quarter. The W did not have a field goal until 4:15 left in the second quarter, when Patrick made a mid-court steal and a driving layup to launch her big game.
 
The Owls will take on the University of Dallas on Saturday (6.p.m.) in their second game of the Webster tourney, in the consolation game.