WBU Offense Stifled by Crowley's Ridge

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. (1/14/25) – The Williams Baptist University men's basketball team attempted a late rally, but fell 79-59 to Crowley's Ridge inside the Southerland-Mabee Center on Tuesday night.

The Pioneers dominated the game defensively, holding WBU to just 25-for-65 shooting (38.5 percent) and 4-for-26 from three-point range (15.4 percent).  Williams lost the rebound battle 47-33, and conceded 52 points in the paint to CRC.

Trahe Qualls led the team in scoring with 20 points on the night on 9-for-15 from the field, including two three-pointers.  Amarion Wilson added 12 points on 5-for-17, and Charles Brown Jr. put up 11 on 4-for-8 from the field.  Elisha Cofield was the squad's leading rebounder, grabbing 10 boards off the bench.

The two teams were neck-and-neck through the first five minutes of the game.  A Braxton Cousins layup gave the Pioneers a five-point cushion with 12 minutes to go in the first half.  The Pioneers pushed the lead to 13, but a Trahe Qualls triple and layup cut the lead to 10 at halftime.  

CRC continued to suffocate the Eagle offense through the first 10 minutes of the second half.  Down 20, the Eagles made a stand by forcing three straight turnovers and jump-starting a six-point swing to force a Pioneer timeout.  Despite the effort, Crowley's was able to fend off the Eagles to take the win.

The loss drops Williams to 4-9 overall on the season and 1-6 in AMC play.  The Eagles return to the floor on Thursday, Jan. 16 on the road against Hannibal-LaGrange.  Tip-off against the Trojans is set for 7:30 p.m. in Hannibal, Mo.