KIRKSVILLE, Mo.--The Truman Men's Basketball team has started 2021 2-0 after downing William Jewell 82-77 Wednesday night at Pershing Arena. Truman shot a blazing 66.7% from the floor, working the post early and often as they earned a grinding victory.

Dylan Peeters got the Bulldogs going with the first four points for Truman, including an emphatic slam dunk to put Truman up 4-3 early. But a 5-0 run gave WJC a four point edge, and the Cardinals led until Truman rallied to the game at 12 each at the 15:12 mark of the first half following a layup by Hunter Strait. Alex McQuinn then gave the Bulldogs a two point lead, and the teams went back and forth for the next few minutes. Tied at 20 with 11:57 to go, Turner Scott converted on a three point play that sparked a 10-0 run to give Truman the first double digit lead of the game for either side; capped by a three pointer by Elijah Hazekamp. Truman held the lead the rest of the half and went into the intermission up 39-34.

Over the first few minutes of the second half, it remained nip and tuck with neither team pulling away. At 15:03 with the game 51-50 Truman, Scott hit a three pointer that sparked a 6-0 run to put Truman up seven. But undeterred, WJC fought back and got within three at 57-54. But a 7-0 spurt from Truman gave the Bulldogs another double digit lead at 64-54. At 8:23, Cade McKnight made two foul shots to make it 71-56 Bulldogs; as Truman looked to pull away. But the Cardinals would not go down easy.

An 19-6 run over the next eight minutes got WJC within two at 77-75. But Turner Scott came to the line to do what he does best. He hit one of two foul shots to put Truman up three with 33 seconds to go, and then after trading a bucket by Hunter Strait for two WJC foul shots; Scott came to the line again and hit two more foul shots to close the game out with 12 seconds to go.

Scott, McKinght and McQuinn each tied for the team lead with 15 points (which was a career high for McQuinn), while Scott and Hazekamp tied for the lead with four rebounds. Scott dished out another seven assists to round out an all-around performance.

The Bulldogs will be back in action Saturday as they close out the week in Springfield against Drury. Tip off will be around 3:15 p.m., following the conclusion of the women's game.