Statesmen Fall 70-55 to #3 Morningside
William Penn Lady Statesmen Basketball
Sioux City–For the second night in a row, the William Penn women’s basketball team fell shy of upsetting a ranked foe on the road with a 70-55 setback to #3 Morningside in non-conference play Saturday.
The Statesmen (3-2) made just 29.5% of their field-goal attempts, but stayed in the game by limiting the Mustangs (5-0) to only 36.0% from the floor.
The visitors, who led only once at 3-2, trailed 29-19 at the break on 20.6% shooting. Courtesy of a 40.7% second-half shooting clip, William Penn was able to narrow the deficit to six at 38-32 with 12:55 remaining. Unfortunately, 27 total turnovers (20 by MU) were converted by the Mustangs into a 22-9 margin in points off mistakes.
The navy and gold, who bettered Morningside in made three-pointers (8-6) and free throws (11-10), were led in scoring by Katie Golomski (Jr., Milwaukee, Wis., Psychology & Sociology) and Janay Pritchett (Jr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Biology & Sociology) with 15 points each. Golomski reached the mark with five trifectas, while Pritchett mixed it up off the bench with five shots inside the arc as well as five charity stripe tosses.
Dani Stahle (Sr., South Weber, Utah, History/Government & Psychology) also eclipsed double figures with ten points in addition to five assists.
Jessie Kreuser (Jr., Mendota Heights, Minn., Undecided) only managed three points, but was best on the team in rebounds (12), blocks (2), and steals (4).
Both teams managed 49 rebounds.
“We had a much better effort today,” Head Coach Mike Brown said. “We really came to compete, but unfortunately committed way too many turnovers against a very physical and good Morningside squad. If we can play like this each time out, I like our chances down the road.”
Next: William Penn travels to Crookston, Minn. next Friday to face NCAA Division II Minnesota-Crookston at 3 p.m.
