COLUMBUS, Miss. – A quintet of Mississippi University for Women men's basketball players registered double-digit scoring to lead an 83-80 home win over Huntingdon College at Pohl Gym. The Owls' (3-1) non-conference victory over the Hawks (2-4) in the team's home opener was their third win in a row, as well.
 
It was also The W's second-consecutive win versus Huntingdon. The Hawks still lead the overall series, 3-2.
 
"We knew coming into this one tonight that it was going to be a battle for 40 minutes against another type of style that we haven't seen yet in a very well-coached team," MUW Head Coach Dean Burrows said. "Both teams traded punches and, as most know, basketball is a game of runs. I'm very proud of our guys for finding a way to stay together and respond when Huntingdon made its run in the second half. While we continue to provide self-inflicted errors - that we will continue to work to correct - our guys showed a ton of heart and toughness that we hadn't seen yet."
 
The W's big-man tandem of senior Brye Hopkins and junior transfer Cam Smith combined for 27 points and eight rebounds, despite both having four fouls, hitting a combined 13-of-21 shots. Hopkins had a team-high 17 points and was an efficient 8-of-11 from the field. He hauled in five boards.
 
Smith did a little bit of everything, hitting 5-of-10 shot attempts on his way to a 13-point game. Smith dished off a game-leading seven assists and pulled down three caroms.
 
Senior Dariun Doss was the third starter with double figures, booking 12 points. Chris Evans and Adin Johnson came off of the bench to tally 14 and 10 points, respectively. Evans was 5-for-6 shooting, including 4-of-4 from beyond the arc, while Johnson had his third-straight double-digit scoring effort.
 
The Owls nearly had a sixth player surpass 10 points, as senior guard Andrew Shepherd finished at nine. However, Shepherd also chipped in three steals and three assists.
 
As a team, The W dished off 21 assists, which works out to a "help" on 64 percent of its made baskets. The 21 assists was also the seventh-most in a single game in program history.
 
Both teams shot well from the floor, with the Owls hitting better than 53 percent (33-62), including 50 percent (10-20) from three-point range. HC was at a respectable 46 percent, overall, but made its living this night at the free throw stripe by going 22-for-35.
 
"I think those in attendance and who watched via live stream saw what I think we can be in having five guys in double digits…we got some terrific individual efforts, as well. I'm thankful to have these young men in my life and look forward to some down time before getting ready for Dallas to come to town this weekend."
 
The University of Dallas invades Pohl Gym for a Sunday matinee game at 1 p.m. Admission is free for all fans.