Defense Shines as WPU Rolls Mount Mercy in First Game of 2023

Oskaloosa--The Statesmen women's basketball team was effective in all areas Wednesday as it defeated Mount Mercy 71-34 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play.

WPU (6-8, 3-5 Heart) won consecutive games for the first time since starting the campaign 2-0 by outshooting the Mustangs 47.1%-26.1%.  Headlining that effort was a 52.4% perimeter clip (11-for-21), while the victors were also excellent at the charity stripe at 85.7% (12-for-14).

Already up 40-27 at halftime, the navy and gold put the game to rest quickly by limiting Mount Mercy (7-7, 3-5 Heart) to just seven post-intermission points.  The Statesmen outscored the Mustangs 31-7 over the final 20 minutes to claim its most lopsided league win since an 88-45 victory against Benedictine on February 23, 2019.

The 34 points are the fewest allowed by WPU since joining the Heart in 2014-2015 and the fewest in a conference game since permitting just 31 points against Clarke on January 30, 2010.

Not only were the hosts capable from the field, they also topped MMU in rebounding at 35-26 and in turnovers (nine for WPU, compared to 16 for Mount Mercy).  The turnover margin led to a 15-6 edge in points off mistakes for the navy and gold.

Mount Mercy led 10-6 early, but a 10-4 run put the Statesmen ahead for good.  On top 18-14 after 10 minutes of action, William Penn pushed its lead up to 16 points late in the second period before settling on a 13-point halftime edge.

The sides each knocked home a bucket in the first two minutes of the third stanza, but the rest of the quarter belonged to William Penn with 12 unanswered points.  The run was extended to 19-0 before the Mustangs were finally allowed to get back on the scoreboard with a pair of free throws.  The Statesmen coasted down the stretch.

Six WPU players scored at least five points with Zantasia White (Sr., Lubbock, Texas, Secondary Education) having a near double-double outing of 18 points and nine rebounds.  She was 7-for-9 from the field, including making all four of her three-pointers.

Ally Stewart (Sr., Victoria, Australia, Physical Education) connected on three trifectas en route to 15 points, while Morgan Terry (Sr., Cornersville, Tenn., Biology) also hit double digits with 13 points alongside six assists.

Journie Augmon (Sr., Las Vegas, Nev., Human Services) scored all seven of her points at the free-throw line, while Aiesha Feagins (Jr., Grand Prairie, Texas, Applied Mathematics) was next with six points.

Emma Morts (Sr., Milford, Ill., Business Management) contributed five points in addition to eight rebounds as well.

"Our defense led us to victory tonight," Head Coach Jenna Santi said.  "We had multiple players contribute on both ends of the floor.  I am very proud of this team as they battle in practices and games every day.  We have to keep this energy for a tough home matchup on Saturday."

Next Up: William Penn will remain in Oskaloosa Saturday, hosting Park in Heart action at 2 p.m.