Statesmen Defeat Royals in Pre-Holiday Finale
William Penn Women’s Athletics
Omaha, Neb.–The William Penn women’s basketball team got back to .500 as the first half of its season concluded by dropping Grace (Neb.) 69-48 in non-conference action Saturday.
It was another strong defensive effort for the Statesmen (6-6) as they limited the Royals to 22.2% shooting and held a 60-39 edge on the glass (29 offensive). Due to its advantage on the glass as well as other factors, William Penn had 27 more field-goal tries.
WPU scored the first 10 points of the afternoon and did not permit a GU field goal until the 4:11 mark of the first quarter; the visitors led 18-6 entering the second stanza.
The second and third periods were fairly tight with the navy and gold outscoring the Royals by just three points total. GU (3-14) closed to within 12 points late in the game, but William Penn finished with the last nine points to easily win its final non-conference game of the campaign.
The Statesmen, who shot 34.6%, were led by a double-double from Vashti Nwagbaraocha (Fr., Milwaukee, Wis., Exercise Science) who managed 15 points and 13 rebounds.
Alyssa Phillips (Jr., Gurnee, Ill., Communications) tallied 13 points, while Genzavia Smith (Fr., Milwaukee, Wis., Undecided) also reached double figures with 11 points. Phillips blocked two shots as well.
Sara Petrzelka (Jr., Norway, Iowa, Physical Education) nearly matched Nwagbaraocha’s double-double with eight points and 10 rebounds. Jenna Santi (Fr., Oak Creek, Wis., Elementary Education) added six points with three assists and three steals, while Destiny Spinner (Saginaw, Mich., Biology) had three thefts as well.
“We came out flat, which is to be expected,” Head Coach Willie Scott said. “For our players to stay an extra week after finals to play one game was asking a lot, but they stayed focused and pulled off another win. To get back to .500 at the break is a good place for us. We will be better in the second half and I am proud to coach this team.”
Next Up: William Penn is off until January 6, traveling to Canton, Mo. to face Culver-Stockton in Heart of America Conference action at 5:30 p.m.
