IMMACULATA, Pa. – Mississippi University for Women men's basketball again struggled on an opponent's home floor, losing at Immaculata University, 81-62, in a non-conference contest at Alumnae Hall. The Owls (3-6) loss to the Macs (7-3) was the fifth time, in as many tries in 2023-24, that The W has lost as the visiting team.
 
The meeting between the two schools was conceived by MUW head coach Dean Burrows – who was raised in the area - as a sort of tribute to the rich women's basketball history at both universities. The W won the 1971 women's national championship and Immaculata's ladies would win three straight AIAW titles between 1972-74 (with MUW placing fourth in 1972, as well). As a matter-of-fact, the last time that the two schools had meet in any athletics event – prior to Saturday's men's hoops match-up – was in the championship semifinal game in 1972 (won by the Mighty Macs).
 
In the first-ever men's basketball contest between the schools, Immaculata led wire-to-wire versus The W. The Macs led at the half, 43-28, thanks largely to a 57-percent shooting effort from the field in the opening stanza, including making six three-point baskets (and 10 made for the game). For the game, IU shot 50 percent from the floor (29-58), which was the fourth-consecutive game that an opponent has hit 50 percent or better from the field against the Owls.
 
MUW senior Brye Hopkins had his second double-double of the season – and third of his MUW career - in the loss. Hopkins scored 18 points and had a game-leading 12 rebounds. He was an efficient 8-of-9 from the floor, raising his season field goal percentage to 58.0 for the season.
 
Fellow senior Dariun Doss was 6-for-11 shooting, on his way to his fifth double-digit scoring game (and second in a row) of the year with 15 points. Doss hauled in seven rebounds, while also leading the team with three assists and three steals.
 
Cam Smith and Adin Johnson each contributed eight points.
 
The W will conclude a string of what will be seven-straight games on the road (including two exhibition contests) since December 3, when it travels to Media, Pa., to face Penn State University-Brandywine on Monday (Dec. 18/6 p.m. CT).