BATESVILLE, Ark.- The W men's basketball ended calendar year 2024 on a two-game winning streak, but saw it come to an end in its first contest of 2025, losing at Lyon College, 69-67, in a St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) game. The Owls fell to 4-7 (1-3 SLIAC), with the Scots improving to 6-5 (3-1 SLIAC).
 
MUW trailed by 11 points, 38-27, at the intermission. Less than three minutes into the second half, that deficit swelled to 18 points (47-29) and it looked like the visitors might be in for a long afternoon.
 
But the never-say-die Owls embarked on a 20-6 run over the next seven minutes to draw to within a singe possession, 51-49 with 10:13 remaining. The tandem of Eric Bass Jr. (17 points) and James Dukes (10 points) propelled the assault. Bass Jr. poured in 10 points and Dukes added six during the skein that got MUW back into contention. A Dukes layup at 6:55 gave The W its first lead, 54-53, since the 15:02 mark of the first half.
 
There were four lead changes and one tie over the next three minutes of play. Six unanswered points by the Scots created some breathing room for the hosts. With 1:40 left on the game clock an old fashioned three-point play by Chris Evans (7 points) had MUW within two points still, 63-61. Despite a pair of three balls from Ridge Harrison in the final 14 seconds, Lyon hit its free throws and the Owls could not tighten the gap.
 
Dukes had a double-double by also hauling in 10 rebounds. Isaiah Ball also booked 10 points for the Owls.
 
Both teams shot well, with MUW hitting 49 percent (29-59) from the floor and Lyon at 47 percent (24-51). The MUW bench was stellar, out-scoring the Scots' reserves by a 42-2 margin. The W also held a 31-23 advantage in rebounding.
 
The W will next play at home on Thursday (Jan. 9/7:30 p.m.) versus Principia College, beginning a string of four-consecutive home games over the next two weeks.