Box Score
COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The No. 25-ranked William Woods University women's basketball team collected its first win over a NAIA Top 25 opponent this season, as they posted an 81-72 victory over No. 20 University of the Cumberlands in the first game of the Cougars vs. Cancer Classic on Saturday afternoon at Columbia College.
William Woods (6-2) was able to pull the upset thanks in large part to a 34-16 advantage in points at the free throw line, as the Owls shot a season-high 38 free throws, including 23 in the second half, in the victory.
"This was a great team win for us," expressed Head Coach
Dan Chapla. "A couple of keys to this game was to take care of the ball and to get to the free throw line, and we did both exceptionally well today. So far, this is our best win of the year, and I am extremely proud of our effort and execution today."
The Owls turned the ball over just 14 times against a Cumberlands (5-4) team that had been forcing nearly 23 turnovers per contest entering Saturday's affair. WWU also held a 42-40 edge on the boards, led by
Katie Scherder's 10-rebound effort.
Blake French continued her hot streak on Saturday afternoon as she paced WWU with a season-high 18 points. It marks the third straight game that the guard has posted double-digits, and is the fourth time in her previous five contests that she has hit the mark.
"Blake has been playing outstanding of late," said Chapla. "She ran the floor really well today, and really brought it defensively as she held Cumberlands best shooter to just one three-pointer."
French was one of four Owl players to record double-figures, as seniors
Stephanie Copelin and
Andraquay Quinnine each recorded 16 points, and
Destani Stensrud posted a season-best 15 points. For Copelin, the 16-point effort marked a new career-high, as the O'Fallon, Ill., native hit 4-of-5 from the field and 8-of-9 from the free throw line.
"Stephanie was huge for us. She attacked the rim when she got it on the block and was able to draw some fouls to get to the line, and when she got there she converted," Chapla said of his senior post player.
William Woods was able to break an18-18 tie midway through the first half to build an 11-point advantage at 37-26 with nearly four minutes remaining in the half. The Owls kept its lead for the remainder of the first frame, as they took a 44-36 advantage into the break.
UC scored the first six points of the second half to pull within two at 44-42. WWU was able to push its lead back out to seven points at 49-42 after a Stensrud three-point play with 17:34 remaining in the game.
Cumberlands continued to fight back, and took a one-point lead at 57-56 after a Jill Herman three-point basket. Each team traded baskets back and forth, as they remained tied at 68-68 with less than five minutes left in the game.
From that point, William Woods went on a 7-0 run capped off by steal and basket by French to give the Owls a lead they would not relinquish, as they were able to hold on for the 81-72 victory.
The win gives WWU its first victory over a NAIA Top 25 team on the year, and its first since the first round of last year's NAIA National Tournament when they upset No. 9 MidAmerica Nazarene 79-75.
It will be a quick turnaround for the Owls, as they return to action tomorrow afternoon to conclude the Cougars vs. Cancer Classic with a game against the University of Saint Mary. The Lady Spires are 1-9 on the year, and will face-off with host school and No. 21-ranked Columbia College later tonight. Tip-off Sunday's contest set for 2 p.m.
Check back with wwuowls.com for a full recap of this and every game during the 2013-14 season.
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