WPU Seeking Revenge in Matchup with Lewis-Clark State in Nationals Opener
The William Penn Women’s Basketball Team after winning the conference tournament 2019.
by Wade Steinalge
Oskaloosa–The Statesmen women’s basketball team will get a chance to get payback for a season-ending loss endured two years ago in Big Sky Country as it makes a third-straight trip to the NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship, presented by Wells Fargo.
#3 seed WPU (30-2) will meet #6 seed Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) (20-11) in the Naismith Bracket next Wednesday, March 13 at 2:45 p.m. (Central). The Championship will take place at Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark in Billings, Mont. from March 13-19.
The sides faced off at nationals in 2017 with L-CSC winning 59-45 in WPU’s first trip to the final site in 29 years. WPU is still seeking its first win (0-2) at NAIA Nationals.
The Statesmen-Warrior winner will then face the winner of the #2 seed Westmont (Calif.)/#7 seed LSU Alexandria contest on Friday at 10:45 a.m.
The full bracket can be found at http://www.naia.org/fls/27900/1NAIA/SportsInfo/Championships/2019DIWBB/2019_DIWBB_Bracket.pdf?&SPSID=640721&SPID=96231&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=27900
The 9th-ranked Statesmen (highest ranking ever since joining NAIA), members of the Heart of America Athletic Conference, earned one of the 13 automatic berths by sweeping both the league’s regular season and tournament crowns. The #23 Warriors, from the Frontier Conference, earned one of the 18 at-large bids. It will be the third-consecutive season in which WPU will meet a team from the Frontier Conference in the opening contest.
All of William Penn’s games at the Championship will be broadcast (audio only) on the Statesmen Sports Network at http://www.statesmenathletics.com/SIDHelp/watch.php
Fans can pay to watch the games online as well through the NAIA Network at https://www.naianetwork.com/ The per-day option costs $9.95, while the entire tournament (through the semifinals) can be purchased for $34.95. The championship and semifinal games will be broadcast on ESPN3 at http://www.espn.com/watch/
Game tickets can be purchased at http://www.metrapark.com/events/2019/naia-womens-division-i-national-championships?SPSID=640721&SPID=96231&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=27900
All tournament information can also be found on the Experience NAIA Championships app at https://naia-championships.app.link/launch?SPSID=640721&SPID=96231&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=27900
William Penn
Steve Williamson, in his second season, is leading the Statesmen to their third-straight NAIA Nationals appearance (eighth all-time between NAIA and NCAA Division III).
William Penn is led by Heart Player of the Year Vashti Nwagbaraocha (Sr., Milwaukee, Wis., Exercise Science) who is averaging 18.3 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. Fellow first-teamer Kate Ylitalo (Jr., Maple Plain, Minn., Biology) (16.5 points, 95 three-pointers), second-team pick Brenda Pennington (Jr., Hammond, Ind., Psychology) (11.3 points and 4.5 assists), and honorable mention Jenna Santi (Sr., Oak Creek, Wis., Sports Management) (6.5 points and 3.2 assists) are also guiding the navy and gold into nationals.
WPU is outscoring opponents 73.1-52.8 and outrebounding them 37.7-33.1. William Penn is also better from the field with a 44.3%-35.4% edge (35.2%-28.2% 3-PT). The navy and gold shoot 73.8% from the line as well.
The squad ranks seventh in the NAIA in points allowed per game and ninth in both field-goal percentage and three-point percentage.
The Statesmen are on a 13-game winning streak entering nationals. William Penn owned an 8-1 record this season against teams ranked in the top 25 or receiving votes at the time of the matchup.
Lewis-Clark State
Brian Orr, in his 18th season (423-141 record), will be taking the Saints to nationals for the 15th time in his tenure. It is the program’s 21st trip to nationals overall.
L-SCS, which was 9-9 in Frontier play (third place), has lost four of its last five games entering nationals. Jossilyn Blackman leads the Warriors as a first-team all-conference player, averaging 12.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Hailey Turner (10.1 points) was a second-team selection.
Lewis-Clark State has outscored its foes 68.2-59.5 and outrebounded them 39.0-34.2. The Warriors are also better from the field with a margin of 40.8-38.0%. L-CSC is shooting 72.4% at the line and 31.0% from behind the arc.
Additional Tournament Information
Numerous hotels are available in Billings with a full list at http://www.visitbillings.com/stay/region/alpha
William Penn’s host hotel is:
Quality Inn Homestead Park
2036 Overland Avenue
Billings, MT 59102
406-652-1320
A Tip-Off event is scheduled for Tuesday, March 12 at 6 p.m. at site that has yet to be announced.
