Defense Helps WPU Defeat Doane 61-52
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Crete, Neb.–The William Penn women’s basketball team kept its host under 40% from the floor and forced 24 turnovers in dropping Doane 61-52 to open the Doane Classic Friday.
The Statesmen (3-1), who won their third game in a row, shot 42.3% and outscored the home team in all four quarters to hand the Tigers (2-1) their first loss of the season.
The first period was a back-and-forth affair that included two ties and eight lead changes with WPU up 15-14 after the opening 10 minutes. The squads continued in a tight battle for much of the night, but the visitors took the lead for good at 26-25 on a three-pointer by Kate Ylitalo (So., Maple Plain, Minn., Biology) with 3:01 left until halftime.
It was one of four trifectas by the sophomore who paced the Statesmen with 16 points on 6-for-9 shooting (4-for-5 3-PT).
Up 30-28 at the break, William Penn scored the first five points of the third stanza and stayed ahead by at least two possessions the rest of the night. The navy and gold, as they have all year so far, closed strong and eventually pushed the advantage to as much as 14 points in the waning minutes.
Sarah Hansen (Sr., Neponset, Ill., Psychology and Human Services) knocked down three balls behind the arc as part of a 13-point effort.
Sham Troupe (Jr., St. Louis, Mo.) contributed 12 points and a team-high seven rebounds, while Vashti Nwagbaraocha (Jr., Milwaukee, Wis., Exercise Science) finished with 10 points and stole seven passes. The Statesmen managed 14 steals Friday.
Hansen and Jenna Santi (Jr., Oak Creek, Wis., Elementary Education) dished out four assists each.
WPU overcame shooting just 55.6% at the line and committing 23 turnovers.
“I thought we played great defense and were able to limit Doane’s two best shooters,” Head Coach Steve Williamson said. “Sham and Sarah, among others, did a great job defending all night. We still need to improve in a lot of areas, but we are playing great defense and that is why we are able to win.”
Next Up: William Penn remains in Crete Saturday to finish the Classic, facing Hastings at 1:30 p.m.
