COLUMBUS, Miss. – Junior forward Brye Hopkins scored a personal season high of 24 points, but it was not enough as the Mississippi University for Women men's basketball team lost a close contest versus LaGrange College, 70-67, at Pohl Gym.  The Owls saw their record fall to 4-4, while the Panthers improved to 4-2 on the year.
 
After being defeated by LaGrange by 19 points in the 2021-22 season opener, this seasons rematch was a very different affair with the largest lead of seven points, and that by The W early in the opening half. The Panthers largest advantage on the resurgent Owls was by six and also in the first period.
 
The 2022-23 incarnation of the MUW-LC rivalry also featured no less than 13 ties and nine lead changes. The second half alone was a manicurist's dream, with the nail-biting final 20 minutes having the largest separation by either side reach just four points.
 
A free throw by Hopkins with 5:57 left in the game gave The W what would be its last lead at 59-58. The Panthers would close the game by out-scoring the Owls, 12-8, to pull out the win.
 
Hopkins had another stellar game from the field, connecting on 9-of-11 shots and 6-of-9 free throws, on his way to his game-leading – and season-high - point total of 24. Hopkins also shared game-best rebound totals with teammate Thomas Wright, with each wiping the glass for eight caroms apiece.
 
Hopkins' bullseye shooting over the weekend raised his season field goal percentage to 75.5 percent.
 
For Wright's part, the junior scored 13 points by going 6-of-10 from the field. It was Wright's eighth-consecutive game with double-digit scoring this season in as many games. He also had three assists, a steal and a block to his credit.
 
While the Owls' big men combo of Wright and Hopkins accounted for an aggregate of 32 points – and 38 total points in the paint from the hosts – LaGrange beat The W at its own game. The Panthers had 48 points in the paint. Additionally, LC converted 18 MUW turnovers into 22 points.
 
Junior guard Milos Zeradjanin was the Owls' third double-figure scorer with 12 points. Zeradjanin dished off a game-best six assist, while also hauling in five rebounds.
 
Other point totals for The W included five for Chris Evans, four from Shon Wright, and three points for Andrew Shepherd. Dariun Doss, Tyson Smithey and Josh Dukes each chipped in two points. Wright and Evans each gave off three assists.
 
The Owls will be off until December 6 due to finals.