Lady Statesmen Complete Sweep of Viterbo 48-45
William Penn Women's Athletics
La Crosse, Wis.–All coaches know a road victory, no matter how big or small or pretty or ugly, is always a good one, and while Wednesday’s 48-45 Midwest Collegiate Conference win over Viterbo was a little bit of both small and ugly, it was still a very good one for William Penn.
With the win, the Lady Statesmen (9-15, 7-6 MCC) are now tied with the V-Hawks for fourth in the league, but courtesy of its season sweep, the navy and gold would be the #4 seed if the MCC Tournament started tomorrow.
The visitors shot just 33.3% from the field, but limited Viterbo (9-16, 7-6 MCC) to a 28.6% clip. Both teams struggled from the perimeter, going 2-of-13 apiece.
A slow start dug William Penn into a six-point hole at 11-5, but Orielle Thomas (So., Waynesville, Mo., Waynesville HS) guided her team to a comeback that helped the Lady Statesmen lead 26-19 at halftime. Thomas had 11 points and eight rebounds at intermission.
The advantage ballooned to 14 points by the 13:44 mark. William Penn continued to be in control, leading by nine at 46-37 with 5:07 remaining.
Viterbo had one final push left, however, and narrowed the deficit to one at 46-45 with 1:09 left on the clock, but failed to finish the rally. Katie Golomski (Fr., Milwaukee, Wis., Pius Xi HS) hit a jumper in the final minute to extend the edge to three and V-Hawk Jenna Engh misfired on a leaning three-pointer as time expired.
Thomas concluded the contest with 16 points and ten rebounds for her 14th double-double of the campaign. She also racked up three steals.
The V-Hawks owned a slight 45-43 rebounding margin, but William Penn was more opportunistic as it converted its offensive boards into double the points (16-8 in second-chance points).
Sarah Martin (Jr., Anthem, Ariz., Boulder Creek HS) was next with nine points and a squad-high three assists, while Jessi Kreuser (Fr., Mendota Heights, Minn., Henry Sibley HS) added eight points.
Golomski managed eight points with three blocks and Vanessa Kieres (Fr., Chicago, Ill., Regina Dominican HS) scored six.
The Lady Statesmen survived on just 8-of-15 free-throw shooting (VU was 13-of-19). Viterbo committed 15 turnovers, compared to only 11 for William Penn.
Next: The Lady Statesmen host Iowa Wesleyan Saturday in MCC play at 1 p.m.
