Statesmen Falter in Second Half in 87-72 Loss
William Penn Women’s Athletics
Lawrence, Kan.–The William Penn women’s basketball team could not keep pace with Haskell Indian Nations in an 87-72 non-conference loss Saturday.
The Statesmen (5-6) played even with the Indians (10-1) through 20 minutes (43-43), courtesy of 54.8% shooting. Unfortunately, that mark fell off to 31.3% in the second stanza and HINU kept rolling to pull away for the victory. Haskell Indian Nations outshot William Penn 59.6%-42.9% in the end.
The contest remained tied at 64-64 with 6:41 to go, but the hosts outscored the navy and gold 23-8 down the stretch.
Alyssa Phillips (So., Gurnee, Ill., Communications) went 6-for-12 from the field for 17 points, while Janay Pritchett (Sr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Biology) and Katie Golomski (Sr., Milwaukee, Wis., Psychology and Sociology) each added 15 points. Golomski also stole four passes and pulled down six rebounds.
Kadejah Young (Jr., Minneapolis, Minn., Physical Education) contributed six points in the setback. Jessie Kreuser (Sr., Mendota Heights, Minn., Physical Education) matched Golomski with six rebounds (also two blocks) as WPU managed a 30-29 margin on the glass.
The Statesmen could not overcome giving up a 14-7 edge in three-pointers and a 17-11 deficit in free throws.
“We are just really playing poorly defensively right now,” Head Coach Mike Brown said. “You cannot win a lot of games letting opponents shoot 60%. They are also just better than us right now. They executed their entire plan really well.”
Next Up: William Penn travels to Wisconsin Dells, Wis. Wednesday and Thursday to compete in the Wisconsin Dells Tournament. On Wednesday, the Statesmen face Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) at 3:30 p.m. and then play Ashford Thursday also at 3:30 p.m.
