Huge Fourth Quarter Slingshots Statesmen Past Evangel

Oskaloosa–The William Penn women’s basketball team got hot late to complete a huge comeback as it knocked off Evangel 64-58 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play Saturday.

WPU (8-9, 5-6 Heart) trailed 53-45 entering the final quarter, but outscored the Valor 19-5 to pick up the win. At the halfway point of the league slate, the Statesmen sit in seventh place in the 14-team standings, while EU (7-9, 6-5 Heart) is just ahead of the navy and gold.

Although the hosts won the shooting battle 42.2%-35.9% over Evangel, they came out the gate sluggish, not scoring until the 5:14 mark of the first quarter. WPU eventually trailed 8-6 after the first 10 minutes.

The visiting team opened up its lead early in the second quarter, going on a 12-2 run to take an 20-8 lead halfway through the stanza. Fortunately, the navy and gold quickly turned the tide with Elle Turner (Fr., Camdenton, Mo., Business Management) and Ally Stewart (Sr., Victoria, Australia., Physical Education) connecting on back-to-back three-pointers to cut into the deficit. William Penn finished 5-for-19 behind the arc, while Evangel also struggled to the tune of 16.7% (3-for-18).

The rest of the second period saw a good amount of fouls, and WPU was able to take advantage at the free-throw line, trimming the deficit to five at intermission, 30-25. Overall, the Statesmen were 21-for-31 at the charity stripe, while the visitors were 9-for-12.

The Statesmen got on the board first in a frenetic back-and-forth third quarter that featured 43 combined points (23-20 EU).

William Penn continued to trail by a half dozen with only four minutes remaining in regulation, but Morgan Terry (Sr., Cornersville, Tenn., Biology) and Journie Augmon (Sr., Las Vegas, Nev., Human Services) took over and scored the team’s next eight points to draw their squad within two at 58-56.

Both sides came up empty over the following minute, but with 1:01 left on the clock, Emma Morts (Sr., Milford, Ill., Business Management) dropped in a layup and was fouled. She completed the conventional three-point play to give the Statesmen their first lead of the game.

WPU spent the final minute of the game at the line as it slowly extended the advantage. Morts made two of four tries, while Stewart iced the victory with two connections; Terry also hit one free throw. Defensively, the Statesmen took advantage of a lane violation by EU and two missed three-point tries to claim the come-from-behind win.

Three Statesmen finished in double digits as Terry paced the victors with 17 points, while Morts just missed a near double-double with 15 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Stewart posted 10 points and six rebounds as well.

Augmon ended the day with seven points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Along with winning the shooting battle, William Penn outrebounded Evangel 37-33. WPU overcame five more turnovers (22-17) than the Valor as well.

“Our ladies won that game as a team,” Head Coach Jenna Santi said. “I am very proud of Emma Morts for playing an entire game with an energy that the rest of the team met!”

Next Up: William Penn will travel to Dubuque next Monday to take on Clarke in Heart action at 5:30 p.m.