Statesmen Fail to Slow Down Defenders
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Sioux Center–The William Penn women’s basketball team struggled defensively as it fell 87-78 to Dordt in the opener of the Dordt Classic Friday.
WPU (5-3) trailed by just three at halftime, but permitted 52 points in the second half as its two-game winning streak was snapped.
The first quarter, which ended with the home team leading 12-11, included three ties and a pair of lead changes. The Statesmen then rallied with six points at the start of the second stanza to hold a game-high five-point advantage, but Dordt (5-5) took the margin back for good at 22-20.
The navy and gold were down only 35-32 at the break and still down 58-54 inside of two minutes left to go in the third period, but the Defenders scored eight consecutive points to close out the quarter.
Unfortunately, William Penn was unable to produce a threat in the final 10 minutes. At the last buzzer, WPU was outshot 50.0%-39.7% with DC posting a 56.3% mark in the second half.
Both sides shot well from behind arc (47.8%-44.4% in favor of DC) and at the line (88.0%-75.0% in favor of DC). Of the squad’s eight trifectas, Sarah Hansen (Sr., Neponset, Ill., Psychology and Human Services) knocked down three en route to a team-high 19 points.
The Statesmen won the rebounding battle 34-33, including 16 offensive boards that led to a 10-2 edge in second-chance points. Vashti Nwagbaraocha (Jr., Milwaukee, Wis., Exercise Science) pulled down eight rebounds, while also scoring 10 points. WPU also only committed 13 turnovers, while tallying 15 takeaways.
Kate Ylitalo (So., Maple Plain, Minn., Biology) was next on the scoring list with 12 points in addition to two steals. Sham Troupe (Jr., St. Louis, Mo.) finished with 11 points, while Tyra Johnson (Jr., Calumet City, Ill., Undecided) also reached double figures with 10 points.
Jenna Santi (Jr., Oak Creek, Wis., Elementary Education) added seven points with three assists, and Shamiah Oliver (Jr., Chicago, Ill., Education) contributed six points.
“Our defense let us down today,” Head Coach Steve Williamson said. “We need to understand the level of intensity we need to play at to win games. Dordt simply out-worked and out-hustled us all game.”
Next Up: William Penn remains in Sioux Center Saturday to take on Briar Cliff at 6 p.m. as part of the Dordt Classic.
