Statesmen Rally Past Queen Bees

Des Moines--The William Penn women's basketball team overcame a double-digit deficit as it knocked off St. Ambrose 68-61 in non-conference action at the Grand View Classic Friday.

WPU (2-0) started off the game slow against St. Ambrose (1-2), as the Queen Bees scored the game's first seven points and led 17-8 after one quarter of play.

The Statesmen defense went to work in the second quarter, holding St. Ambrose to just 10 points. Offensively, things started clicking as Aiesha Feagins (Jr., Grand Prairie, Texas, Undecided) got hot, scoring eight of her 16 points in the second quarter. At halftime, the navy and gold cut the lead down to three at 27-24.

After the break, the Statesmen found the basket a few times, tying the game at 34-34 early in the third, but could not take the lead. Going into the fourth quarter, William Penn trailed by only one at 43-42, but took its first lead and the lead for good at 47-45 with 8:19 to go as Emma Morts (Sr., Milford, Ill., Business Management) was fouled and converted an and-one opportunity. Morts finished the night with seven points and a team-best 12 rebounds.

The Statesmen built upon their advantage, but the Queen Bees would not go away, pulling back within three with two minutes left in the game. WPU did not waver, though, with a strong showing at the charity stripe, making seven of its final 10 free throws. Overall, the Statesmen overcame a poor outing at 15-for-24.

Despite trailing the majority of the game, William Penn outshot St. Ambrose 46.9%-42.6%, while also finishing 7-for-19 from the perimeter.

Morgan Terry (Sr., Cornersville, Tenn., Biology) joined Feagins in double figures with 14 points, while Zantasia White (Sr., Lubbock, Texas, Secomdary Education) posted nine points and four assists.

Alexis True (Sr., Frankfort, Ky., Exercise Science) finished with eight points, and Journie Augmon (Sr., Las Vegas, Nev., Human Services) added seven of her own off the bench.

The Statesmen outrebounded SAU 29-26 and committed three fewer turnovers (16-19).

"We fought as a team tonight from starters to girls coming off the bench," Heach Coach Jenna Santi said. "Defense was a huge part of our success this game. Now we prepare for a quick turnaround game tomorrow."

Next Up: William Penn will remain in Des Moines Saturday, taking on Haskell Indian Nations for its last game of the Classic at 2 p.m.