Dillard Ends Historic Season with a Loss in the NAIA Basketball Championship First Round

WEST PALM BEACH, FL - (March 14, 2025) In an impressive display of basketball prowess, William Woods University (MO) overwhelmed Dillard University (LA) with a commanding 110-62 victory in a matchup held at the SLC in West Palm Beach, Florida. This game, part of the postseason action, showcased William Woods' offensive depth and defensive strength, pushing their record to an outstanding 29-2.

Right from the tip-off, William Woods asserted their dominance, outscoring Dillard 58-27 in the first half. Kevin Taylor led the charge with an efficient 24 points, shooting 9-13 from the field and an impressive 4-6 from beyond the arc. The team's ball movement was exceptional, with D'Mari Wiltz orchestrating the offense and dishing out 10 assists, contributing to the team's 28 total assists.

William Woods' bench provided significant contributions, particularly Ty'Shon Pannell, who went a perfect 5-5 from the field, including 5-5 from three-point range, totaling 19 points. The Owls displayed remarkable shooting efficiency, hitting 57.1% from the field and 51.4% from three-point territory, compared to Dillard's 33.3% and 30.8%, respectively.

Dillard struggled to find an offensive rhythm, despite a valiant effort from Elijahjuan Burke, who scored 17 points off the bench. The team's starting lineup found it challenging to penetrate William Woods' defense, with limited scoring contributions and a total of 17 turnovers.

William Woods also controlled the boards, outrebounding Dillard 46-26, which allowed them to control the pace of the game and capitalize on second-chance opportunities. The Owls' defense was stifling, forcing Dillard into tough shots and capitalizing on turnovers.

Dillard, concluding their season with a 19-12 record, will aim to build on their experiences as they look forward to the next season.

-Bleu Devils-