ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Mississippi University for Women men's basketball found the going tough at Fontbonne University – last year's St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) regular season and tournament champion – in an 81-62 loss on the road. The Owls fell to 3-4 and 0-2 in the SLIAC, while the Griffins improved to 7-2 and 2-0 in league.
 
The Owls and Fontbonne had two tie and three lead changes early on, before the hosts took the lead for good at the 13:20 mark of the first half. The W trailed by 11 at the intermission, 34-23, and the Griffins held a double-figure lead the entire second half. 
 
MUW could not overcome a red-hot shooting day by Fontbonne. The Griffins connected on 52 percent (31-60) from the field for the game, 60 percent in the second half alone, including 10-23 (40 percent) from beyond the arc. The W hit a creditable 45 percent (24-53) from the field, but managed to convert just three from long range.
 
The Owls were also victimized by their own mistakes, as Fontbonne turned MUW's 17 turnovers into 19 points. The Griffins' bench also was more productive than that of the visitors, by a 34-26 margin.
 
Brye Hopkins was the game's co-leader with 11 points. Hopkins was an efficient 5-of-6 shooting and pulled down five rebounds, as well.
 
Cam Smith was The W's only other double-figure scorer with 10 points. Smith went 4-of-9 from the floor.
 
Fontbonne had five players book double-digit point totals.
 
MUW's Dariun Doss chipped in nine points. Adin Johnson and Tarik Islamovic contributed eight points, apiece, in the setback.
 
The Owls will next travel to Batesville, Ark., to face fellow SLIAC newcomer Lyon College next Tuesday (Dec. 12/7:30 p.m.).