JACKSON, Miss. – In a game that proved to a tight battle for 40 minutes, Mississippi University for Women men's basketball came out on the short end of an 83-79 score at Belhaven University. The Owls, ranked No. 8 in the nation for the United States Collegiate Athletic Association, fell to 9-12, while the Blazers improved to 11-9.
 
Neither team was able to mount a lead of more than single digits at any juncture. While MUW led at the half, 37-33, both teams posted their largest advantages in the final 20 minutes. The W led by seven points, 49-42, after an Andrew Shepherd three-ball with 15:50 left to play.  At the 7:45 juncture, BU had a 70-61 cushion.
 
In the final seconds, MUW was still within a single possession after Milos Zeradjanin drained a trey with 18 seconds left to play, 81-79.  But the Blazers made their free throws when The W was forced to foul and were able to ice the win.
 
The game featured a total of nine ties and six lead changes.
 
Zeradjanin had a team-leading 18 points on a creditable 7-of-12 shooting game from the field. Zeradjanin was 4-of-7 from beyond the arc, also grabbing five rebounds and making a team-high three steals, as well.
 
Thomas Wright booked 16 points, connecting on 8-of-11 shots. It was Wright's 20th double-figure scoring game out of 21 contests this season.
 
Shon Wright had his fourth-consecutive double-double game and sixth overall for 2022-23. He finished the evening with 11 points and a game-leading 10 rebounds (8 on the defensive glass).
 
Quintiyus Causey chipped in seven points, whi;eBrye Hopkins capped his night with nine points and 6 rebounds. Tyson Smithey added six points and six boards, while Chris Evans and Shepherd each mustered five points. Two points from Dariun Doss rounded out The W scorers.
 
The W will next be in action on Saturday, Feb. 11 at home versus Warren Wilson College, with a 1 p.m. tip at Pohl Gym.