Campaign Ends with Overtime Thriller
William Penn Women's Athletics
Des Moines–The Lady Statesmen basketball team did not go down without a serious fight, but in the end #9 Grand View proved why it was deserving of the #1 seed as William Penn fell 63-57 in overtime in the Midwest Collegiate Conference Tournament Semifinals Saturday.
#4 seed William Penn (12-19) failed to avenge a regular season sweep as it shot just 31.0% from the field. Eight more offensive rebounds gave the squad a chance at 12 more attempts, though, and that 13-5 edge in boards led to an impressive 15-0 margin in second-chance points.
Grand View, on the other hand, finished 37.3% from the floor and will now host #2 seed Mount Mercy Monday in the championship game. Both teams are ranked in the top 12 in NAIA Division II, so the title contest should only be for seeding purposes. The Mustangs dropped #6 seed St. Ambrose 79-69 in the other semifinal.
The navy and gold were sluggish early and trailed by as much as ten at 20-10 before narrowing the gap to seven at halftime, 27-20. The visitors were outshot 37.9%-22.6% by intermission, but a reversal of fortunes in the second stanza let the Lady Statesmen back into the matchup.
Holding a post-intermission edge of 40.6%-32.0%, William Penn chipped away and finally took their first lead since the opening bucket on a jumper by Taylor Reed (Jr., Kalamazoo, Mich., Kalamazoo Valley CC). The junior provided a significant spark off the bench by topping all non-starters with eight points.
The Vikings regained the advantage nearly three minutes later and never trailed again. The scoreboard did show six more ties, however, including two in the final minute.
Down a pair at 51-49, Reed stepped up again and tied the game with 11 seconds left. On the other end, leading scorer Jennifer Jorgensen’s layup would not fall, forcing the game to an additional five minutes.
The opening 1:11 of overtime belonged to Grand View as it scored five unanswered, but the Lady Statesmen had a run as well with five straight points of their own to make it 56-56 with 1:35 left on the clock.
Unfortunately, the home squad was able to extend its winning streak to 17 as Amy Vos connected on a three-pointer and the rest was history. Jessi Kreuser (Fr., Mendota Heights, Minn., Henry Sibley HS) made one of two free tries for the navy and gold, but the Vikings scored the final four points for the victory.
Kreuser tallied her third double-double of the year with 11 points and 11 rebounds, but the team’s offensive hero was Sarah Martin (Jr., Anthem, Ariz., Boulder Creek HS) with 13 points. She also dished out three assists.
Katie Golomski (Fr., Milwaukee, Wis., Pius Xi HS) scored 12 points and Sam Abens (Jr., Knoxville, Southwest Minnesota State) contributed nine.
Orielle Thomas (So., Waynesville, Mo., Waynesville HS) entered Saturday leading the squad in scoring, but was neutralized in recording just two points. In lieu of a tough offensive outing, Thomas did manage a nice defensive performance with three steals.
The Lady Statesmen posted a 42-41 rebounding edge, while both teams committed 14 turnovers. Grand View also finished 15-of-18 at the line, whereas William Penn was 9-of-12.
The loss ends the collegiate career of one-year Lady Statesmen cager Alisha Moritz (Sr., Emily, Minn., Minnesota-Crookston).
