Statesmen Fall in Fayette
FAYETTE, Mo. — The William Penn women’s basketball team fell 73-65 to Central Methodist on Wednesday in Heart of America Athletic Conference play.
William Penn (2-7, 0-2 Heart) was outshot 45.8% to 40.9% from the floor against the Eagles, who improved to 1-1 in league action.
The Statesmen opened strong, jumping out to a 9-2 lead four minutes into the first quarter. Central Methodist responded and eventually tied the game at 15-15 by the end of the period.
The second quarter remained tight, with William Penn briefly taking a 19-17 lead on a layup from Neva’eh Diaz-Doolin (Fr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Biology). The Statesmen held that advantage until Central Methodist tied the contest at 26. The Eagles closed the half on a run to lead 40-32 at the break.
Central Methodist extended its lead in the third quarter before Dekota Smith (Jr., Toledo, Ohio, Computer Science) scored a layup to halt the momentum and cut the deficit to 45-34. The teams traded baskets the rest of the period, and the Eagles held a 60-45 advantage heading into the fourth.
William Penn made a late push, trimming the margin to 68-63 with three minutes remaining, but Central Methodist held off the rally and maintained control until the final buzzer.
Both teams struggled from beyond the arc, with Central Methodist shooting 21.7% and William Penn finishing at 20%. The Eagles held a 42-32 rebounding advantage, though the Statesmen led 12-8 in second-chance points.
The Statesmen finished 6-for-10 from the free-throw line, while the Eagles went 14-for-19.
Both teams committed 19 turnover, while the Eagles converted those into 22 points, the Statesmen were only able to muster 14.
Smith led the Statesmen in scoring with 24, while Kayla Jones (Sr., Louisville, Ky., Psychology) was also in double digits with 12.
Smith led William Penn with 24 points, and Kayla Jones (Sr., Louisville, Ky., Psychology) also reached double figures with 12. Kayla Peoples (Sr., Waco, Texas, Secondary Education) added seven points, while Reagan Pavesi (Jr., Austin, Texas, Wellness and Recreation), Meghanne Freehill (Jr., Lewiston, Ill., Sports Management), and Amaria Turner (Sr., Des Moines, Iowa, Human Services/Psychology/Sociology) each scored five.
Taylor Lawhorne (Sr., Amityville, N.Y., Business Management) paced William Penn with eight rebounds, while Peoples also grabbed five boards.
“We did some good things tonight,” Head Coach Sheawn Bedford Jr. said. “Winning on the road in this conference is tough. I’m proud of our effort and how we competed.”
Next Up: William Penn return home Friday to face William Woods in Heart of America Athletics Conference play at 4 p.m.
