Lady Statesmen Nearly Clip Ranked College of St. Mary
William Penn Women's Athletics
Omaha, Neb.–The William Penn women’s basketball team put together its best effort of the season Tuesday night, but the home team found an answer for the navy and gold late as #21 College of St. Mary defeated the Lady Statesmen 69-66.
William Penn (2-9) flew out to a 14-0 lead before the Flames (10-3) knew what hit them.
Unfortunately, the Lady Statesmen cooled off and CSM warmed up as the visitors only held a slight 36-35 edge at the break.
Sam Abens (So., Knoxville, Southwest Minnesota State) was lights out in the first stanza, scoring 17 of her game-high 19 points before the break. She was 6-of-10 from the field, including a 5-of-7 showing from behind the arc.
The navy and gold continued to be on top for much of the second half, leading by as much as nine points twice in post-intermission play.
The Flames rallied to score 14 of the next 18 points and regained the advantage at 59-58 with 6:18 remaining in regulation.
The Lady Statesmen refused to give up, tying the game three times in the final minutes. Abens was the culprit the final time as she scored her lone second-half bucket to knot the contest at 66-66 with 14 seconds left.
CSM’s Ashley Ross had ice water running through her veins in the final possession, however, and knocked down a three-pointer with four ticks left.
Abens, who finished 7-of-17 from the field (5-of-10 3-PT), launched a desperation trifecta as time expired, but it did not fall and the Flames escaped with the home win.
William Penn outshot CSM 39.1%-32.8%, but could not overcome 20 turnovers and a serious lack of free chances. A disciplined Flame squad committed just seven fouls the entire night and sent the Lady Statesmen to the free-throw line only once. On the flip side, CSM was 16-of-18 from the charity stripe.
Orielle Thomas (Fr., Waynesville, Mo., Waynesville HS) complemented Abens’ performance with her seventh double-double of the year, posting 16 points and 12 rebounds. Katie Golomski (Fr., Milwaukee, Wis., Pius Xi HS) also hit double figures with 15 points, tallying all of her points from three-point land (5-of-8 3-PT).
Sarah Martin (Jr., Anthem, Ariz., Boulder Creek HS) managed eight points in addition to three steals. She also tied Susan Smith (Jr., Eugene, Ore., Lane CC) with four assists.
The Lady Statesmen owned a 46-38 edge in rebounding, including nine by Abens and eight via Golomski. Jessi Kreuser (Fr., Mendota Heights, Minn., Henry Sibley HS) pulled down seven boards as well, while scoring four points off the bench.
Next: The Lady Statesmen return home Saturday to open Midwest Collegiate Conference play against Waldorf at 1 p.m.
