COLUMBUS, Miss. – The W women's basketball waged a furious second half rally, only to come up short in the end versus Centenary College, 70-67, at Pohl Gym. The Owls fell to 0-3 on the young season, while the Ladies improved to 1-2.
 
The first quarter was hotly contested early. With 1:58 left in the opening period, MUW's Conley Langford uncorked a three-point basket that gave her team at 14-13 led. But it was after that when Centenary turned the tables.
 
The Ladies reeled off a 15-0 run to end the first quarter through the 7:34 juncture of the second, taking a 28-14 lead and holding a 43-27 cushion at the half. They maintained a 54-42 advantage after three periods, leading by as many as 17 points with 6:13 left in the third (46-29).
 
But the Owls came to life in the fourth quarter. And, with just 1:55 left in the game, a Mia Bowen jumper knotted the contest at 65-65. The visiting Ladies answered with a trey of their own on their very next possession, to take the lead for good, dashing the Owls' comeback bid.
 
Bowen and Langford accounted for the bulk – 70 percent to be exact - of The W's offense with a combined 47 points. Bowen topped all scorers with 24 points after hitting 8-of-18 from the floor, as well as 8-of-8 free throws. Bowen also snared a game-high nine rebounds, while blocking two shots, as well.
 
Langford went 7-for-18 from the field, overall, including 4-of-10 from beyond the arc, on her way to 23 points. Langford dished off four assists and had a larcenous seven steals.
 
Fantasia Wilson and Jakayla Smith each booked six points. Trinity Hamilton added five and Keayra Hughes three, to round out MUW's scoring. Wilson chipped in four assists and five steals, along with six rebounds (all defensive).
 
The W will look to snap its skid versus Pensacola Christian College on Saturday (November 15/2 p.m.) at Pohl Gym.