William Penn Succumbs to Clarke’s Hot Second Half
William Penn Women’s Athletics
Oskaloosa–The Statesmen women’s basketball team could not duplicate one of its best halves of the season in an 80-68 Midwest Collegiate Conference loss to Clarke Saturday.
William Penn (10-14, 2-6 MCC) shot 51.9% in the first half to own a 42-38 halftime edge. Megan Evangelista (Sr., Chanhassen, Minn., Biology) was 4-for-6 (4-for-5 3-PT) in the first stanza en route to 12 points.
Unfortunately, the Crusaders (12-13, 6-3 MCC) kept their slim MCC co-title hopes alive (St. Ambrose has secured a share at 9-0 with three games left) by shooting 60.0% in the second period, while limiting WPU to 29.0%.
William Penn led 47-40, but gave up seven unanswered to fall back into a tie with the visitors. The game was again tied at 49-49 before Clarke came up with six in a row. The visitors, who would never trail again, only led WPU 72-66 at the 3:01 mark. The Statesmen could get no closer, though, giving up eight of the final ten points.
The home squad was outshot 53.7%-39.7% and outrebounded 33-30, but did tally an 11-6 mark in offensive rebounds. Each side was strong at the line (CU 16-for-18, WPU 14-for-18), while William Penn committed three more turnovers (13-10).
Evangelista finished with 18 points, including five trifectas, in addition to two steals. Janay Pritchett (Jr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Biology & Sociology) was next with 16 points, while Dani Stahle (Sr., South Weber, Utah, History/Government & Psychology) and Alyssa Phillips (Fr., Gurnee, Ill., Communications) both managed 11 points. Stahle also recorded team highs in rebounds (8) and assists (4).
Vanessa Kieres (Jr., Chicago, Ill., Exercise Science) and Susan Smith (Sr., Eugene, Ore., Biology) each contributed six points, and Jessie Kreuser (Jr., Mendota Heights, Minn., Undecided) blocked two shots.
Next: William Penn travels to Des Moines next Wednesday to face AIB in MCC play at 5:30 p.m.
