Statesmen Rout Graceland for Season Sweep
William Penn University Athletics
Lamoni–Dominance on the glass, coupled with a smothering defense, led the William Penn women’s basketball team to a wire-to-wire 80-52 Heart of America Athletic Conference win over Graceland Wednesday.
Exactly four weeks earlier, the Statesmen (13-13, 10-9 Heart) had to come from behind in the final quarter to beat the Yellowjackets (2-22, 1-18 Heart) at home. No rally was needed on the road as WPU reeled off the first 16 points of the night and cruised to the win.
The advantage was 12 after the opening period and nearly doubled by the break to 22 at 41-19. The visitors, who outshot the home team 42.7%-29.1%, never let off the gas, going up by as much as 36 early in the fourth.
The victors were tremendous with their extra opportunities, winning the rebounding battle 52-44 (21-11 offensive; 23-6 edge in second-chance points) and the turnover battle 13-28 (22-6 in points off turnovers).
“I told our team if we want to do something special this year, it needs to start tonight,” Head Coach Willie Scott said. “They responded with one of the best games of the year. This was a huge confidence-booster for us going into these last three games.”
Nine of the 10 Statesmen who stepped onto the hardwood put points on the board, led by Alyssa Phillips (Jr., Gurnee, Ill., Communications) with 21. She also corralled 11 rebounds and blocked three GU shots.
Vashti Nwagbaraocha (Fr., Milwaukee, Wis., Exercise Science) matched Phillips’ double-double with one of her own that included 16 points and a season-high 17 rebounds (nine offensive). Kadejah Young (Sr., Minneapolis, Minn., Physical Education) was also into double digits with 14 points.
Dezarea Duckworth (So., Bryant, Ark., Exercise Science) produced seven points, including her squad’s lone trifecta, while Tyra Johnson (Fr., Calumet City, Ill., Undecided) added a half dozen.
Jenna Santi (Fr., Oak Creek, Wis., Elementary Education) tallied four points in addition to five assists; she matched Nwagbaraocha and Young with three steals as well.
William Penn also picked up three more points than GU at the line, 15-12.
Next Up: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa Saturday to host #20 Benedictine (Kan.) in Heart play at 2 p.m.
