William Penn Athletics News–November 23
William Penn University Athletics
Statesmen Drop Benedictine-Springfield at Quincy Tourney
Quincy, Ill.–The William Penn women’s basketball team had little trouble Saturday in finally ending its losing streak with a 93-45 non-conference win over Benedictine-Springfield (Ill.) at the Quincy Tournament Saturday.
The Statesmen (4-4) snapped a four-game losing streak by outshooting BU-S 52.2%-28.6% and limiting the Bulldogs (2-5) to 12 points in the first stanza.
The navy and gold, which rolled out to a 44-12 halftime edge, held a 49-41 margin on the glass and had five fewer turnovers (20-25) than its foe in the contest.
For the second night in a row, Dani Stahle (Sr., South Weber, Utah, History/Government & Psychology) topped all players, scoring 19 points on 8-for-9 shooting (2-for-2 3-PT). Stahle was named to the all-tournament team.
Brittany May (Sr., Gladstone, Ore., Biology) was next with 16 points, highlighted by four three-pointers (WPU had eight trifectas, while BU-S was not allowed a deep ball). Makenzie Ficek (Sr., Eugene, Ore., Sociology) added 15 points in addition to seven rebounds. She was one of three players with four assists, while the victors posted assists on 25 of their 35 baskets.
Jessie Kreuser (Jr., Mendota Heights, Minn., Physical Education) also reached double figures with 12 points. Megan Evangelista (Sr., Chanhassen, Minn., Biology) managed eight points and Alyssa Phillips (Fr., Gurnee, Ill., Communications) contributed six.
Leading scorer Janay Pritchett (Jr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Biology & Sociology) was again out with injury.
“This was a good game to get people some extended minutes,” Head Coach Mike Brown said. “It took us a little while to get going in the early going, but our ability to run and push up the floor was just too much for them. Susan Smith (Sr., Eugene, Ore., Biology) really did a great job of getting us out on the break. Makenzie, Brittany, Dani, and Jessie were solid all day.”
Smith stole three passes in the victory.
Next: William Penn travels to Omaha, Neb., Tuesday to face Saint Mary in non-conference play at 6 p.m.
WPU Picks Up Fifth Straight with 83-79 Decision over Sterling
Sterling, Kan.–The Statesmen men’s basketball team utilized four players in double figures to defeat Sterling 83-79 to conclude the Sterling Classic Saturday.
#7 William Penn (5-4), which has won five in a row, led for most of the evening (trailed momentarily three times) despite being outshot 44.4%-42.9% and being outscored 24-9 at the free-throw line.
Alec Schwab (Jr., Peru, Ill., Business Management) paced all players with 22, highlighted by five three-pointers (WPU doubled up its foe 14-7 behind the arc).
Roberts Baltruns (So., Riga, Latvia, Business Management) tallied 17 points, while Kelly Madison (Jr., Des Moines, Iowa, Physical Education) and Blake Walker (Sr., Rose Garden, Physical Education) added 16 each. Madison and Logan Alexander (So., Eddyville, Iowa, Undecided) both pulled down nine rebounds. Walker guided the visitors in assists (7), blocks (2), and steals (2).
Kevin Fay (Sr., Hennepin, Ill., Education) was again out of action (academic requirement).
The navy and gold posted a 45-33 edge on the glass, which led to a 14-3 margin in second-chance points. The Statesmen committed three more turnovers (16-13) than Sterling, which is now 4-3. WPU was more opportunistic, though, in taking advantage of its extra chances, tallying a 16-11 advantage in second-chance points.
“We overcame a lot of obstacles tonight,” Head Coach John Henry said. “It feels good to get another win this far from home, but we have to keep improving.”
“We got a huge performance out of Roberts in the second half,” Henry added. “This was his best game as a Statesman.”
Next: William Penn travels to Indianola Wednesday to face Simpson in non-conference play at 7:30 p.m.
Alexander 226th at Nationals
Lawrence, Kan.–Tarah Alexander (So., Cedar, Iowa, Undecided) wrapped up a crazy two-week period as a William Penn cross country runner as she competed at the NAIA Women’s Cross Country National Championships Saturday.
Alexander, who qualified for nationals in her only race of the year two weeks ago, placed 226th out of 319 runners with a time of 20:28:16 on the 5K course at Rim Rock Farm.
Hillary Holt of College of Idaho defended her individual crown with a time of 16:48.13, while British Columbia defended its team title with 56 points (four scorers in the top 15). College of Idaho was team runner-up for the second year in a row with 97 points.
