Hansen Hits Six Three-Pointers in WPU Loss to Culver-Stockton
William Penn University Athletics
Oskaloosa–The Statesmen women’s basketball team again suffered late-game struggles Saturday in a 74-70 Heart of America Athletic Conference loss to Culver-Stockton.
William Penn (14-11, 12-9 Heart) was outshot 55.3%-30.6% and came up just short on the glass 38-36, but was tremendous behind the arc (11-for-24 3-PT) and in turnover margin (+11) by forcing the Wildcats (10-16, 8-4 Heart) into 23 turnovers.
Saturday’s contest featured nine ties and just as many lead changes. It was a tale of two quarters in the first half as C-SC blew out to a 27-17 first-period lead, but WPU closed the half with 10 unanswered points to be tied 37-37 at halftime.
The navy and gold were then just a bit better in the third stanza to lead the visitors 53-51 entering the final 10 minutes.
The score went back and forth in the waning minutes with the score tied 63-63 with 2:57 to go. Unfortunately, the Wildcats reeled off seven points in a row over the next 1:32, but WPU did not fold and closed to within two at 72-70 with 30 ticks left. William Penn was forced to foul, but it paid off as C-SC only hit one of two free throws.
The Statesmen had a final chance to tie the game, but could not come up with any points on a pair of shot attempts and the visiting squad came away with the win. Culver-Stockton was also strong at the line, going 27-for-34, while the home team was 15-for-22.
Sarah Hansen (Jr., Kewanee, Ill., Psychology and Human Services) knocked down six long balls en route to a game-high 20 points.
Alyssa Phillips (Sr., Gurnee, Ill., Communications) was next in the scoring column with a near double-double of 14 points and nine rebounds, while JeAnn Hiraldo (Jr., Frisco, Texas, Industrial Technology) also joined the double-digit club with 13 points.
Vashti Nwagbaraocha (So., Milwaukee, Wis., Exercise Science) managed six points with three assists, while Brynesha Mosby (So., Belleville, Ill., Biology) added five points. Keshunda Williams (Fr., Chicago, Ill., Business Management) matched Nwagbaraocha with three assists.
“This was a hard-fought battle, but unfortunately we could not finish the job,” Head Coach Willie Scott said. “We have to do a better job guarding the ball off the dribble and stop fouling. We sent them to the line 34 times and they capitalized by making 27 shots.”
Next Up: William Penn travels to Marshall, Mo. Monday to face Missouri Valley in Heart action at 5:30 p.m.
