WPU Struggles in Second Half in Loss to NCAA D-2 Program
William Penn Women’s Athletics
Crookston, Minn.–Very much a tale of two halves, the Statesmen women’s basketball team had issues after intermission in a 91-63 loss to NCAA Division II Minnesota-Crookston in non-conference action Friday.
William Penn (3-3) was the better side in the first 20 minutes, leading 38-33, courtesy of a 40.7%-34.3% shooting edge. Lauren McKinnis (Sr., Chicago, Ill., Sociology) paced the navy and gold with 11 first-half points.
Unfortunately, little went right in the second stanza with the hosts holding a large floor edge of 60.7%-23.3% (final tally was 46.0%-31.6% in favor of UMC). The lone bright spot for the Statesmen was at the charity stripe as they finished 19-for-20 (95.0%).
Although it only committed five more turnovers than UMC (2-0) at 16-11, WPU allowed the Golden Eagles to take advantage of those mistakes with a 24-3 edge in points off turnovers. William Penn lost the rebounding battle 45-34 as well.
McKinnis finished with 12 points, but it was Janay Pritchett (Jr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Biology & Sociology) who led the visitors with 15 points (7-for-7 FT). The junior also topped her team with four assists and two steals.
Katie Golomski (Jr., Milwaukee, Wis., Psychology & Sociology), highlighted by a game-high four three-pointers, also reached double figures (12 points). Dani Stahle (Sr., South Weber, Utah, History/Government & Psychology), who was one of three players with a team-high four rebounds, managed eight points, while Vanessa Kieres (Jr., Chicago, Ill., Physical Education) posted seven points.
“We played a great first half and were locked in and focused from the start,” Head Coach Mike Brown said. “We shared the ball and had great offensive movement. Unfortunately, the lights went off in the second half and we went away from what was working. I am a little disappointed in our ability to finish the game the right way. This is not what a senior-dominated team should be doing. We, as a coaching staff, have to get a better pulse on our team.”
Next: William Penn travels to Valley City, N.D. Saturday to face Valley City State in non-conference play at 1 p.m.
