Penn (2-2) trailed 47-25 at the break due to 27.3% shooting, but caught on fire in the second stanza (53.1% FG, 60.0% 3PT) and outscored the Owls 27-12 in the first ten minutes.

The visitors continued to chip away at the deficit until finally only trailing by four with two minutes left. Unfortunately, William Woods (1-0) was able to hold on for its season-opening victory by knocking down all four of its free throws in the waning seconds.

Christa Subbert (Jr., Stanton, Stanton HS) paced the Penn offense with 17 points on 6-14 shooting (1-4 3PT, 4-4 FT).

Samantha Darley (Jr., Gilbert, Ariz., Mesa CC) complemented her performance with 11 points of her own, highlighted by three three-pointers, while Janice Adams (Sr., Chicago, Ill., Austin HS) tacked on ten points and a team-best seven rebounds off the bench.

Ashton Perez (Jr., Wildomar, Calif., Riverside CC) contributed eight points, while Nancy Chicas (Sr., San Francisco, Calif., San Mateo CC) added seven points and a team-best four assists.

Alicia Smith (Jr., Ya-ta-hey, N.M., Lamar CC) knocked down both of her three-pointers, her only shots of the game, for six points on the evening.

Penn finished the contest hitting 40.0% of its field goals, while its hosts made 45.7%. The Lady Statesmen did, however, win battles in three-pointers made (8-3) and steals (6-5), including a pair of thefts by Darley.

Next: Penn returns to Missouri to take on Central Methodist in Fayette next Tuesday at 6 p.m.