WPU Falls Short of Upset in Low-Scoring Contest
The Statesmen women’s basketball team gave the 13th-best team in the land all it could handle in a 60-59 non-conference loss to Friends (Kan.) Friday
Oskaloosa–The Statesmen women’s basketball team gave the 13th-best team in the land all it could handle in a 60-59 non-conference loss to Friends (Kan.) Friday.
The defensive battle was extremely tight, featuring ten ties and 13 lead changes; neither side led by more than six. William Penn (3-4) stormed out to a 10-4 edge, but the Falcons (3-2) came back to lead by five. The home squad had the final say in the first half, though, as Janay Pritchett (Sr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Biology) made a last-second layup to put WPU up 28-27 at intermission.
Things seesawed in the second stanza with Friends leading 58-53 with just over three minutes to go. Back-to-back three-pointers, however, by Pritchett and Katie Golomski (Sr., Milwaukee, Wis., Psychology) allowed the navy and gold to lead one last time at 59-58.
Unfortunately, WPU permitted two Falcon free throws at the 1:35 mark and its final two trips down the floor failed to net any points. The hosts had a chance to get the ball back in the final ticks, but were unable to corral a defensive rebound and Friends held on for the win.
Pritchett paced her team with 23 points, going 7-for-17 from the floor (4-for-7 3-PT, 5-for-6 FT). The Statesmen were outshot 31.4%-25.8%, but were actually hurt worse with a 64-41 deficit in rebounding. A 25-12 Falcon margin on the offensive glass resulted in a 17-8 advantage in second-chance points.
WPU was better at the line (21-16 in made shots) as well as behind the arc (6-0 in made shots) and committed seven fewer turnovers (21-14). The navy and gold made Friends pay in that area with a 16-10 edge in points off turnovers.
Jessie Kreuser (Sr., Mendota Heights, Minn., Undecided) was next on the scoring list with nine points in addition to seven rebounds and two blocks. Golomski scored eight points with seven rebounds and four assists, while Kadejah Young (Jr., Minneapolis, Minn., Physical Education) contributed six points.
“If you do not rebound, you do not deserve to win,” Head Coach Mike Brown said. “They made plays when they had to and we did not.”
Next Up: William Penn finishes off its three-game home stand next Wednesday by hosting Bethel (Kan.) in non-conference action at 6 p.m.
