Nwagbaraocha Guides WPU with Double-Double of 30 and 17
Vashti Nwagbaraocha was 10-for-16 from the field and 10-for-12 at the free-throw line as she topped all players with 30 points. She pulled down 17 rebounds as well to complete her double-double, while dishing out five assists, blocking three shots, and stealing three passes.
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–Vashti Nwagbaraocha (Jr., Milwaukee, Wis., Exercise Science) put on a show Wednesday night, simply willing the Statesmen women’s basketball team past Grand View 68-62 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play.
With the win, William Penn (11-4, 5-1 Heart) is now off to its best 15-game start since 1988-1989 (12-3). The win also extends the program’s recent success over the Vikings. WPU, which had lost 10 in a row in the series from 2006-2010, has now won four of the last five meetings. The navy and gold had several heroes, but none bigger than Nwagbaraocha who finished with team highs in all of the five meaningful categories.
The junior was 10-for-16 from the field and 10-for-12 at the free-throw line as she topped all players with 30 points. She pulled down 17 rebounds as well to complete her double-double, while dishing out five assists, blocking three shots, and stealing three passes.
The hosts played arguably their best quarter of the season Wednesday, blowing out to a 26-13 advantage after 10 minutes of play. During that stretch, WPU shot 62.5%, while limiting GVU (10-7, 3-3 Heart) to 36.4% and six turnovers.
The second period was not as kind to the navy and gold, however, but the squad still led 35-31 at the midway juncture.
Both odd-numbered stanzas went in William Penn’s favor as the team pushed its advantage to a dozen in the third before settling on a seven-point edge at 52-45 entering the final 10 minutes.
The Vikings chipped away and finally completed their comeback, tying the matchup at 53-53 with 8:03 remaining. Then suddenly both sides went ice cold, seemingly daring the other to try and win the game. Nwagbaraocha finally broke a four-plus minute scoreless stretch with a pair of free throws.
The visitors knotted the game for the second and final time at 59-59 with 2:15 to go, but Nwagbaraocha put her crew on top for good just a few seconds later. GVU pulled to within one at 62-61, but could get no closer. Sarah Hansen (Sr., Kewanee, Ill., Psychology and Human Services), who finished with 12 points, knocked down four consecutive free throws and Nwagbaraocha put the nail in the proverbial coffin by blocking a three-point try in the waning seconds.
The Statesmen won despite being outshot 37.7%-36.2%. They made up for that deficit by being better in both rebounds (40-39) and turnovers (16-20); the victors outscored Grand View 16-7 in second-chance points and 18-10 in points off mistakes.
Kate Ylitalo (So., Maple Plain, Minn., Biology) hit the double-digit plateau as well with 10 points, including three three-pointers. Headlined by a great start (five makes in the first quarter), William Penn connected on eight long balls for a 47.1% clip.
“This was a great team win,” Head Coach Steve Williamson said. “Our defense was solid all night and players made plays when we needed them. Vashti was incredibly huge all night and Sarah knocked down some clutch free throws at the end; Sham Troupe played great defense down the stretch as well. I am proud of our effort. Now we need to build on this moving forward.”
Next Up: William Penn remains in Oskaloosa Saturday to host Culver-Stockton in Heart action at 2 p.m.
