WPU Makes Strides in Loss to OUAZ
Omaha, Neb.–Three players reached double figures Friday, but a slow start was too much to overcome as the Statesmen women’s basketball team fell 69-53 to Ottawa (Ariz.) in the Omaha Hardwood Classic hosted by College of Saint Mary.
William Penn (0-3) was outshot 39.1%-26.9%, and dug itself a big halftime hole against the Spirit (2-0).
The navy and gold kept paced for much of the first quarter, including being tied 8-8 at the 2:54 mark after a layup by Chudear Mach (Jr., Des Moines, Iowa, Kinesiology). Unfortunately, OUAZ scored seven unanswered and never trailed again.
Laney Parker (Sr., Springfield, Ill., Business Management) closed the period with a three-pointer to cut the deficit to four at 15-11, but the Spirit pulled away with a 23-10 margin in the second quarter for a 38-21 halftime edge.
The Statesmen showed no quit Friday, battling for the full 40 minutes.
A trifecta by Breacia Carter (Sr., South Beloit, Ill., General Accounting) with 2:54 remaining in the third stanza got WPU within 14 at 47-33. It would be the closest the squad would come, though, despite outscoring Ottawa (Ariz.) 32-31 after intermission.
The Statesmen could not overcome losing the rebounding battle (50-35), while also committing 24 turnovers, compared to 17 for OUAZ. The Spirit held a 12-5 advantage in second-chance points and a 24-14 margin in points off turnovers.
William Penn managed to keep it respectable by converting on 22 of its 28 free throws (78.6%). Parker did most of the damage at 8-for-11.
Parker topped the navy and gold in most categories, including points (18), rebounds (tied for most at 5), steals (6), and blocks (2).
Carter and Reagan Pavesi (Sr., Austin, Texas, Wellness and Recreation) also hit the double-digit mark with 10 points each, while Pavesi dished out four assists as well.
Aliya Wagamon (So., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Psychology) was good for seven points, and Justice Leon (Jr., Piarco, Trinidad & Tobago, Sociology) finished with six (all at the free-throw line).
“We have to get tougher,” Head Coach Dewitt Mandley said. “We showed what we can be, but unfortunately the game was already lost in the first half. When we decide to play for 40 minutes like we played the last 20 minutes tonight, we will be a contender in the conference.”
Next Up: William Penn remains in Omaha, Neb., facing Sterling (Kan.) in the Classic at 12 p.m.
