Phillips Scores 24, WPU Still Falls to Crusaders on Road
William Penn University Athletics
Springfield, Mo.–Alyssa Phillips (Jr., Gurnee, Ill., Communications) dominated in her individual play, but the Statesmen women’s basketball team failed to shut down Evangel in a 71-67 Heart of America Athletic Conference loss.
A little over a month ago, William Penn (12-13, 9-9 Heart) limited Evangel (8-15, 7-11 Heart) to just eight field goals and one three-pointer as part of 15.7% shooting. On Saturday, the Crusaders were on fire, making 51.9% of their attempts and 11 shots from beyond the perimeter.
The visitors played even or better in three of the four quarters, but EU managed a five-point advantage in the second quarter for the difference. The home squad actually took the lead for good at 13-10, but the contest was tight throughout.
WPU tied the game several more times after that juncture, but trailed 39-34 at halftime. The Statesmen, who shot a solid 49.1% from the floor themselves, continued to stick with the Crusaders and eventually knotted the matchup at 58-58 with 7:19 to go in regulation.
Unfortunately, the next five minutes belonged to Evangel as it went on a 12-0 run. William Penn did manage nine of the last 10 points, but it was not enough to pull off the season sweep.
Despite posting a 31-30 edge on the glass, committing two fewer turnovers (14-16), and hitting four more free throws (10-6), the Statesmen could not overcome EU’s 11 trifectas (45.8%).
Phillips did all she could, finishing with a game-high 24 points on 12-for-14 shooting. The junior also grabbed seven rebounds and blocked two shots.
She was joined in double figures by Kadejah Young (Sr., Minneapolis, Minn., Physical Education) with 14 and Ashlee Harper (Sr., Los Angeles, Calif., Education) with 13. The trio combined to go 22-for-33 (66.7%) on Saturday, but the rest of the squad struggled at 6-for-24 (25.0%).
Vashti Nwagbaraocha (Fr., Milwaukee, Wis., Exercise Science) added six points and Dezarea Duckworth (So., Bryant, Ark., Exercise Science) tallied three assists.
“We stole a win on Wednesday against Culver-Stockton, but gave it back today,” Head Coach Willie Scott said. “I have to give Evangel credit, though, as they shot the ball extremely well.”
Next Up: William Penn travels to Lamoni next Wednesday to face Graceland in Heart action at 5:30 p.m.
