COLUMBUS, Miss. – When you have a three-word name, you expect something special from that person, right? James Earl Jones, Billy Ray Cyrus, Karl-Anthony Towns, Daniel Day-Lewis, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, John Quincy Adams, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sandra Day O'Conner, Olivia Newton-John, Tommy Lee Jones, Sarah Jessica Parker, John Cougar Mellencamp, Mary Tyler Moore, Frances Scott Key, Billy Bob Thornton, and you get the picture.
Well, The W men's basketball sophomore
Joe Haze Austin did not disappoint in his team's 83-80 double-overtime win over Spalding University in a St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic (SLIAC) game at Pohl Gym. Austin's career night propelled the Owls (3-4, 1-1 SLIAC) to the come-from-behind victory over the Golden Eagles (3-3, 1-1 SLIAC) in a bout that featured eight ties and 11 led changes, with both teams staying within single digits of each other all 50 minutes of playing time.
For his part, Austin finished with a game – and MUW career – high 25 points, hitting 10-of-15 from the field. Austin went 3-for-4 from three-point range for the night, but none was bigger than his off-balance trey with three seconds left in the first overtime that tied it at 70-70, to rescue his team and send the contest into the second extra segment.
Austin also contributed seven rebounds, three assists, a block, and a MUW career-best five steals.
Sophomore transfer
Tray Huguley had another huge game, as well. Huguley notched his third-consecutive double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds. He was 9-for-15 shooting in tallying 20-plus points for the third-straight contest, and fourth time this season. Huguley also had a block and two assists.
Tyler Shephard went 5-for-13 from the floor and was 5-for-9 from the free-throw stripe, on his way to 16 points. Shephard had seven rebounds and two blocks on his ledger, as well.
Devin McCaine went 4-for-9 shooting to finish with 10 points.
Trent Walker turned in nine points, six caroms, along with two assists, for the evening, including going a clutch 4-for-4 in free throws in the waning moments of the second overtime to help seal the win.
The W will look to build on its first SLIAC win of the year on Saturday (December 6/3 p.m.), when it plays host to Greenville University at Pohl Gym.
