The win keeps the Lady Statesmen (15-11, 7-5 MCC) tied for fourth place in the league standings with St. Ambrose. The two programs face off next Wednesday in Davenport (5:30 p.m. start time).

Contrary to the last meeting between Penn and Ashford when the host Lady Statesmen scored the game's first 19 points, Wednesday's matchup offered a tighter contest with seven ties and six lead changes, all in the first half. Penn eventually took the lead for good on a Carleigh Hobson (Jr., Lancaster, Calif., Antelope Valley CC) jumper to make it 24-23.

The visitors, who led 28-25 at halftime, extended the advantage to a contest-high 13 points with 14:04 remaining before the Saints (8-15, 2-10 MCC) staged their rally.

Ashford pulled to within five points on two occasions, but Penn tightened the reins and cruised to the win.

The Lady Statesmen narrowly won the shooting battle 41.1%-38.2%, instead taking control of the game with an opportunistic defense that forced 21 turnovers, turning that into a 24-8 edge in points off mistakes.

Samantha Darley (Jr., Gilbert, Ariz., Mesa HS) topped all players with 16 points, including three three-pointers, while Christa Subbert (Jr., Stanton, Stanton HS) added 13, headlined by a 7-7 showing at the charity stripe.

Subbert's performance gives her 1,373 career points, moving her into ninth place on Penn's all-time scoring list. In taking the spot, she surpasses Susie Kudrna (1975-1978) and her tally of 1,370 points.

Rachel Butler (Jr., Anaheim, Calif., Cerritos CC) also reached double digits with 11, while Hobson just missed the mark with nine. Ashton Perez (Jr., Wildomar, Calif., Riverside CC) contributed six points in the win as well.

Subbert also dished out a game-high four assists (tied) and Butler tied for the game high in steals (3).