WPU Succumbs to Baker at Home

Oskaloosa--Despite having three players in double figures, the Statesmen women's basketball team could not defend its home court in a 62-56 loss to Baker in Heart of America Athletic Conference play Saturday.

William Penn (2-18, 2-7 Heart) outshot the Wildcats 39.6%-37.7%, but the hosts came up short in several other categories, including being outscored 13-6 at the free-throw line.

The game had an ominous start as Baker cashed in on a technical foul free throw due to a malfunctioning shot clock in Penn Gymnasium (the issue was sorted out later in the evening). In a seesawing first half that witnessed 10 lead changes, the Statesmen were ahead 24-17 in the second quarter, but went into the locker room down 36-33 at halftime.

The third period was a defensive battle with the sides combining for only four points through the first six minutes, but each crew warmed up down the stretch as BU (7-11, 3-6 Heart) entered the final stanza up 49-40.

The Wildcat advantage grew to 11 points early in the fourth, but the Statesmen continued to fight, closing within four with 1:31 to go. Unfortunately, the visitors did enough in the waning moments for the victory.

WPU was outshot 42.9%-30.8% from behind the arc with Ally Stewart (Jr., Victoria, Australia, Physical Education) connecting on four three-pointers and Zantasia White (Jr., Lubbock, Texas, Secondary Education) making three more. White finished with a team-high 14 points, while Stewart matched Morgan Terry (Jr., Cornersville, Tenn., Biology) with 12 points.

Journie Augmon (Jr., Las Vegas, Nev., Human Services) hit all four of her shots en route to an eight-point showing off the bench. Alexis True (Jr., Frankfort, Ky., Exercise Science) and Emma Morts (Jr., Milford, Ill., Business Management) both scored five points, while True also gobbled up 11 rebounds and dished out six assists. William Penn was outrebounded 35-30.

Although they committed two more turnovers (13-11) than Baker, the navy and gold actually outscored their opponents 9-8 in points off mistakes.

Next Up: William Penn travels to Des Moines next Wednesday to face Grand View in Heart play at 5:30 p.m.