William Penn Succumbs to Clarke in Home Finale

Oskaloosa–The Statesmen women’s basketball team failed in its quest to take down the top team in the league as it lost 89-63 to #5 Clarke in Heart of America Athletic Conference play Wednesday.

WPU (4-23, 3-20 Heart) lost the shooting battle 42.9%-31.9% and was outrebounded 56-38 in its final home game of the campaign.

The navy and gold gave the Pride (26-1, 22-1 Heart) a fight in the early moments, drawing even several times and actually leading 10-9.

A layup by Alyssa Hames (Jr., Ackley, Iowa, Psychology) tied the game one final time, but unfortunately CU rattled off nine in a row and the hosts were unable to keep pace, trailing 26-17 at the conclusion of the first period.

The Statesmen kept Clarke within striking distance in the second quarter, including a three-pointer right before intermission by Aiesha Feagins (Jr., Grand Prairie, Texas, Applied Mathematics) to close the gap to 14 at 46-32.

WPU was no match for the visitors, though, and could not stop the Pride from pulling away after halftime.

William Penn only committed nine turnovers (eight for CU), but the home crew was outscored 19-7 in points off errors. At game’s end, the Statesmen also faced a 15-6 deficit in second-chance points.

Aysia Arrowood (Jr., Wichita, Kan., Sports Management) splashed home four three-pointers en route to a team-high 16 points, while overall the Statesmen made nine trifectas. The junior also notched seven rebounds.

Mercer Roberts (Sr., Myrtle Beach, S.C., Wellness and Recreation) hit double figures as well with 12 points, while Ally Stewart (Sr., Victoria, Australia, Sports Management) narrowly missed the mark with nine. Hames, with seven, and Feagins, with six, contributed Wednesday as well. Feagins assisted on five buckets and stole two balls as well.

Next Up: William Penn wraps up its season Saturday by facing MidAmerica Nazarene in Heart competition at 2 p.m.