Statesmen Drop 62-50 Decision to College of the Ozarks
Des Moines–Four players accounted for all of the Statesmen points Friday as the William Penn women’s basketball team fell 62-50 to College of the Ozarks in the opener of the Grand View Classic.
Each member of the quartet reached double figures for WPU (0-3), but it was not enough to keep pace with the Lady Cats (2-1), who won despite being outshot by the navy and gold 36.4%-36.2%.
In addition to being slightly better from the field overall, William Penn was fairly equal with C of O in many other categories. Unfortunately, the squad could not overcome a 42-30 deficit in rebounding that led to a 21-2 margin in second-chance points. Courtesy of its prowess on the glass, C of O was able to fire up 14 more shots than WPU.
After permitting the opening bucket just six seconds in, the Statesmen answered with eight straight, including a pair of shots from Zantasia White (Jr., Lubbock, Texas, Secondary Education). A second field goal from Morgan Terry (Jr., Cornersville, Tenn., Biology) kept WPU up six at 10-4 in the first three minutes of play, but C of O rallied with nine straight and never trailed again.
The Lady Cat advantage grew to 13 at 27-14 before William Penn stole the momentum with a 13-2 run, headlined by seven points from Amanee Clark (So., Waterloo, Iowa, Human Services). C of O had the last say before the break, however, to lead 31-27 after 20 minutes.
Following a game-high 15 points in the second stanza, the Statesmen were not as sharp in the latter half and failed to get any closer than their four-point halftime deficit.
The game was fairly clean with the sides combining for just 20 turnovers (WPU had two more at 11-9) and 27 fouls (WPU had three more at 15-12).
The trio of starters who did score in the setback combined to shoot an impressive 16-for-29, but unfortunately the remaining players were just 4-for-26 from the floor. Journie Augmon (Jr., Las Vegas, Nev., Human Services) guided the Statesmen with 15 points on 7-for-10 shooting, while White recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Terry had an all-around solid outing with 11 points, six rebounds, and four blocks, while Clark matched her 11 points to top the bench efforts.
“Every game we are gaining experience in our roles,” Head Coach Jenna Santi said. “Now we need everyone to come together as one.”
Next Up: William Penn returns to Des Moines Saturday to face Missouri Baptist in the conclusion of the Classic at 3:30 p.m.
