WPU Challenges, but Fades Late in Upset Bid of Pioneers

Oskaloosa--The Statesmen women's basketball team put a scare into the #20 team in the NAIA, but eventually came up short in a 68-46 Heart of America Athletic Conference loss to MidAmerica Nazarene Monday.

In the squad's final game of the 2024 calendar year, William Penn (2-9, 1-6 Heart) was outshot 44.4%-33.9% and outrebounded 39-37, but stayed close as the league-leading Pioneers (12-2, 10-0 Heart) struggled from the free-throw line (8-for-19).

Although they never led, the navy and gold, who trailed 4-0 early, did manage to knot the score one time at 6-6.  In a high-scoring first quarter, MNU claimed a 21-18 edge after 10 minutes of action.

The defenses dominated the second stanza with only 13 combined points being scored as the visitors clung to a meager 28-24 margin at intermission.

The scoring pace picked up after the break, though, but William Penn continued to keep MidAmerica Nazarene within striking distance at 51-38 entering the final period.  Unfortunately, the hosts ran out of proverbial gas and the upset bid fell short.

WPU committed 18 turnovers to just 10 for MNU and was outscored 12-2 off mistakes.  Despite trailing 11-7 in offensive rebounds, the home crew countered its ball control woes with an 11-5 advantage in second-chance points.

Both programs had issues behind the arc with the Pioneers connecting on just 19.0% of their tries and the Statesmen finishing at 13.0%.

Led by a game-high 22 points from Azori Edwards (Jr., Philadelphia, Pa., Sociology), William Penn's bench outscored MNU's by a 26-20 margin.  The junior was exceptional Monday, making 10 of her 12 shots and also pulling down seven rebounds.

Alyssa Hames (Grad., Ackley, Iowa, Master's of Sport Management) reached double digits as well with 11 points, while Carley West (Jr., Saint Paul, Minn., Human Services) also contributed seven points, two steals, and two blocks.

Kayla Peoples (Jr., Waco, Texas, Nursing) and Aysia Arrowood (Sr., Wichita, Kan., Sports Management) both dished out three assists in Monday's setback, while Arrowood also matched West with two ball thefts.

"I am proud of the competitive fight our group showed tonight," Head Coach Joe McKinstry said.  "MNU is ranked #20 for a reason; they are well-coached and have been playing great as of late.  I thought we did a great job of making them work for most everything to get the victory.  Unfortunately, we could not get the lid off the basket for most of the game and were not able to capitalize on some of our opportunities.  We will take this well-deserved break and hopefully get healthier.  We look to come back focused and ready to build off the momentum that I feel we have built."

Next Up: William Penn is off until after the holiday break, returning to action on Thursday, January 2 as it travels to Atchison, Kan. to face Benedictine in Heart play at 5:30 p.m.