WPU Drops Hannibal-LaGrange in OT
William Penn Women’s Athletics
Hannibal, Mo./St. Paul, Minn.–Janay Pritchett (Sr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Biology) poured in 30 points to guide the Statesmen women’s basketball team to a 96-91 overtime win over Hannibal-LaGrange Saturday.
Visiting William Penn (5-4) fell behind by as much as 15 points midway through the first period, but rallied to within five by halftime, 38-33.
The Trojans (1-5) extended the advantage back to double figures (once again 15) and were still up six (65-59) with 8:57 remaining. Fortunately, WPU kept the pressure on, forcing 23 H-LG turnovers (eight for WPU) and a 16-4 put the navy and gold ahead by a half dozen just outside of five minutes to go. The hosts did not fold and eventually forced overtime at 80-80 with one free throw in the final minute of play.
Helped by ten points from Pritchett (8-for-8 FT), the Statesmen led nearly the entire way through the extra period. Pritchett’s scoring tally was mostly recorded at the charity stripe by finishing 14-for-16. The senior also distributed the ball well with five assists.
With her team only up one point with 20 seconds to go, Pritchett made four free tries in the last few seconds.
Kadejah Young (Jr., Minneapolis, Minn., Physical Education) and Vanessa Kieres (Jr., Chicago, Ill. Physical Education) were the team’s next-highest scorers with 16 points each; both players hit four three-pointers.
Alyssa Phillips (So., Gurnee, Ill., Communications) also joined the double-figure club with ten points, while Jessie Kreuser (Sr., Mendota Heights, Minn., Undecided) just missed the mark with nine points. Each individual stole two passes.
Stevie Anderson (Fr., Kansas City, Mo., Digital Communication) produced six points as well.
WPU, which lost the rebounding battle 47-38, was guided on the glass by Phillips and Kreuser with seven apiece. Phillips also blocked two shots in the win.
“We were flat all first half and into the second half–basically on life support,” Head Coach Mike Brown said. “Destiny Spinner, Brynesha Mosby, and Stevie Anderson provided a huge lift for a stretch during the game. Vanessa Kieres was clutch late as well. Janay had a huge game at the line. Kadejah was also good all day long.”
“This was a good team win,” Brown added. “We just need to continue to grow as a unit.”
Just over 24 hours earlier, William Penn was defeated 92-48 in an exhibition game against NCAA Division II Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.). The Statesmen were outshot 43.8%-21.4%. Kreuser was the team’s leading scorer with eight points, while Pritchett and Phillips had seven points each.
Next Up: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa next Friday by hosting Saint Mary (Neb.) in non-conference play at 5:30 p.m.
