Statesmen End Losing Streak Against Holy Cross
William Penn Women’s Athletics
Milwaukee, Wis.–The William Penn women’s basketball team picked up its first victory since Thanksgiving weekend with a 77-75 win over Holy Cross (Ind.) to conclude the Cardinal Stritch Holiday Classic Tuesday.
The Statesmen (6-9), who snapped their five-game losing streak, nearly blew a sizeable lead down the stretch. Fortunately, Janay Pritchett (Sr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Biology) hit a pair of free throws with five seconds left to help her squad hold on for the win.
In a contest that featured nine ties and ten lead changes, WPU outshot the Saints (2-14) 35.9%-33.3% and overcame a 52-45 deficit on the glass.
The navy and gold were up 45-35 at half and extended the advantage to as much as 15 in the first minute of the second stanza. Thirteen unanswered points by HCC closed the gap, however, but outside of two leads by the Saints, William Penn was in charge until the waning seconds. Up 75-70 with 1:39 on the clock, WPU unfortunately permitted Holy Cross to score five straight until Pritchett tallied two of her 17 points at the charity stripe.
While Pritchett poured in 15 points after intermission, Vanessa Kieres (Jr., Chicago, Ill., Physical Education) actually topped all players with 23 points, highlighted by five three-pointers. Kieres added nine rebounds as well.
Jessie Kreuser (Sr., Mendota Heights, Minn., Physical Education) managed 16 points, while Alyssa Phillips (So., Gurnee, Ill., Communications) reached double figures as well with 11 points.
Katie Golomski (Sr., Milwaukee, Wis., Psychology & Sociology) dished out six assists and blocked three HCC shots in the victory.
William Penn outpaced the Saints 23-16 at the line and 8-7 behind the arc and committed one fewer turnover (13-14) than its foe.
“This was a good gut-check road win for us,” Head Coach Mike Brown said. “We now have a week to sharpen up before we open conference play. Vanessa was tremendous in the first half and Janay had a great second half; Jessie was solid throughout.”
Next Up: William Penn opens Midwest Collegiate Conference action next Wednesday by traveling to Des Moines to face Grand View at 5:30 p.m.
