Statesmen Snatch 20th Win Vs. Culver-Stockton
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Canton, Mo.–The William Penn women’s basketball team overcame a slow start to eclipse a major mark as it defeated Culver-Stockton 75-68 in Heart of America Athletic Conference action Wednesday.
WPU (20-5, 14-2 Heart), which is ranked 30th in the NAIA, won its seventh game in a row to remain tied with Central Methodist atop the league’s standings. It is the program’s longest winning streak since claiming eight straight in 2010-2011.
The 20-win campaign is the 13th in school history, but just the second in the last 29 years; the last time it happened was 10-11 (WPU was 23-10 that season).
The host Wildcats (12-13, 7-9 Heart), who entered with a four-game winning streak, did not make it easy for the visitors as they scored the first six points of the night. The Statesmen answered with the next five, but C-SC went on another run to lead 16-9 after the first quarter.
WPU’s deficit grew to 10 twice in the second period, including at 26-16 with 5:23 to go. Fortunately, the navy and gold sorted out their problems with 10 unanswered points. The half ended with William Penn on a 14-1 run to go up 30-27 at intermission.
The visiting team’s strong play continued into the third stanza as 10 straight points highlighted a quarter in which WPU held a 23-14 advantage over C-SC. The margin stayed in double figures for most of the final period as well; a little spurt by the home squad in the waning seconds made the contest seem tighter than it was.
The victors outshot the Wildcats 49.1%-37.9%, but came up short in rebounds, 39-31. William Penn also committed six fewer turnovers (11-17) and was outstanding from the perimeter at 57.1% (8-for-14). WPU had to battle past a poor effort at the charity stripe, though, going just 13-for-26.
Vashti Nwagbaraocha (Jr., Milwaukee, Wis., Exercise Science) notched her eighth double-double of the year with game highs in points (21) and rebounds (11). The junior, who was joined by three teammates in double figures, was 9-for-15 from the field.
Kate Ylitalo (So., Maple Plain, Minn., Biology) knocked down all three of her trifectas en route to 18 points, while JeAnn Hiraldo (Sr., Frisco, Texas, Industrial Technology) topped the Statesmen bench with 14 points. Hiraldo was 5-for-7 overall, including a 4-for-5 three-point showing.
Jenna Santi (Jr., Oak Creek, Wis., Sports Management) posted big numbers in several categories with 10 points, seven assists, and four steals.
Sarah Hansen (Sr., Kewanee, Ill., Psychology) just missed double digits with nine points.
“I do not think we came ready to play and it showed as we got off to a bad start,” Head Coach Steve Williamson said. “Fortunately, we stepped up our intensity in the second quarter and carried it over into the second half. Our players are really starting to play to their abilities.”
Next Up: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa to host Heart foe Clarke on Senior Day at 2 p.m.
