WPU Closes Out Calendar Against Ranked Red Raiders
Orange City–The Statesmen women’s basketball team returned from a short winter break and showed great fight in a 71-57 non-conference loss to #13 Northwestern Thursday.
William Penn (1-15) was outshot just 46.6%-44.4%, including performing better from the perimeter at 47.1%-38.1%.
The eventual culprits ending up being a 39-27 disadvantage in rebounding and a 9-1 deficit at the free-throw line.
Northwestern (13-2) was locked and loaded early, scoring the game’s first seven points, but WPU responded. Despite never leading in the contest, the navy and gold pulled to within one twice in the opening period with the last occurrence at 15-14.
The hosts eventually distanced themselves in a high-scoring first quarter, however, leading 28-19 after 10 minutes of action.
NWC continued to play well to begin the second stanza, but then both team’s proverbial wells went dry as no points were scored over the next 4:34. When scoring resumed, the Red Raiders were limited to just four free throws down the stretch in a quarter that witnessed them put only 11 on the board and hold a 39-27 halftime edge.
Although the Statesmen could not close the gap to single digits after intermission, they also did not permit Northwestern to run away. The visitors were outscored 15-12 in the third quarter, while actually holding an 18-17 advantage in the final period.
Morgan Terry (Jr., Cornersville, Tenn., Biology) headlined WPU’s offense with 18 points on 9-for-17 shooting. The junior also assisted on five Statesmen buckets.
Alexis True (Jr., Frankfort, Ky., Exercise Science) joined her in double figures with 12 points off the bench. Her additional contributions came on the defensive end with three steals.
The duo of Zantasia White (Jr., Lubbock, Texas, Secondary Education) and Amanee Clark (So., Waterloo, Iowa, Human Services) both added eight points, while Ally Stewart (Jr., Victoria, Australia, Physical Education) scored six points and Joslyn Herbeck (So., Fond du Lac, Wis., Sports Management) finished with five.
William Penn committed just one more turnover than Northwestern (11-10).
Next Up: The Statesmen begin 2022 next Wednesday by traveling to Cedar Rapids to face Mount Mercy in Heart of America Athletic Conference action at 5:30 p.m.
