Statesmen Snap Losing Streak at Viterbo
William Penn Women’s Athletics
La Crosse, Wis.–The William Penn women’s basketball team took advantage of an undermanned Viterbo squad to end a lengthy losing streak with a 72-48 Midwest Collegiate Conference win Wednesday.
The Statesmen (8-11, 1-3 MCC) won for the first time since December 7, snapping its six-game losing streak.
Although the visitors led wire-to-wire, the V-Hawks (1-19, 0-4 MCC), who have just five players on their current roster, tied the game three times in the early minutes. The final tie came at 15-15 with 9:50 remaining in the opening stanza, but WPU pulled away with a 12-2 run and eventually led 38-22 at halftime.
William Penn, which outshot its host 44.8%-38.2%, was not challenged after intermission, leading by at least 13 points the entire second half.
The V-Hawks’ 22 turnovers were converted into 24 points, while a 38-36 edge on the glass (15-10 offensive) helped the navy and gold to a 19-8 margin in second-chance points.
Katie Golomski (Jr., Milwaukee, Wis., Psychology & Sociology) topped WPU with 15 points off the bench, including three three-pointers. Janay Pritchett (Jr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Biology & Sociology) also hit the double-digit mark with 14 points on 7-for-9 shooting.
Alyssa Phillips (Fr., Gurnee, Ill., Communications) added eight points, while Vanessa Kieres (Jr., Chicago, Ill., Physical Education) and Asia Cochran (Fr., Belleville, Ill., Physical Education) both contributed seven points in the streak-breaking win. Jessie Kreuser (Jr., Mendota Heights, Minn., Undecided) and Brittany May (Sr., Gladstone, Ore., Biology) also assisted with six points each.
The teams combined for just 19 total fouls, leading to only 11 free throws (WPU was 4-for-7).
“Tonight was a good team win with a lot of people contributing,” Head Coach Mike Brown said. “After we got the bus legs ran off, we were able to get some easy baskets and stretch the lead. I was glad to see us make a better defensive effort tonight. That will be key in moving us forward.”
Next: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa Saturday to host Mount Mercy in MCC action at 1 p.m.
