Lady Statesmen Back to .500 in MCC With Road ‘W’

William Penn Women's Athletics

Forest City–The William Penn women’s basketball team was able to both avenge an earlier-season setback and keep itself in the middle of the league pack after holding off Waldorf 64-60 in Midwest Collegiate Conference action Monday.

The Lady Statesmen (7-14, 5-5 MCC) won a season-high third-straight game, but it was not easy as they had to overcome a 37.7%-36.2% shooting deficit.

The difference for the visitors came in two categories: free throws and turnovers. William Penn was 16-of-20 from the line (Waldorf was 8-11) and had just 12 turnovers to 15 by the Warriors (5-15, 3-7 MCC). The 15 mistakes by the home team were converted into 12 points by the visitors.

Although they could not go wire-to-wire for the third contest in a row, the Lady Statesmen were not far off, taking the lead for good at the 10:57 mark of the first half. William Penn led by four at halftime and pulled ahead by as much as 15 points before holding on in the final minute.

Four starters hit the double-digit mark, including Orielle Thomas (So., Waynesville, Mo., Waynesville HS) with 15 points, nine rebounds, and two steals (all team highs). Waldorf countered with BreAnn Hageman, who posted 20 points and 13 boards.

Katie Golomski (Fr., Milwaukee, St. Pius Xi HS), fresh off a program-tying eight three-pointer night, had another great outing from the perimeter. The freshman knocked down all four of her trifecta tries (5-of-6 overall) for 14 points.

Jessi Kreuser (Fr., Mendota Heights, Minn., Henry Sibley HS) managed 12 points and Sarah Martin (Jr., Anthem, Ariz., Boulder Creek HS) added ten.

Susan Smith (Jr., Eugene, Ore., Lane CC) dished out seven assists in the win.

Both squads tallied 34 rebounds.

Next: The Lady Statesmen travel to Davenport Thursday to face St. Ambrose in MCC action at 5:30 p.m.