Box Score
FULTON, Mo. -- The no.23-ranked William Woods University women's basketball team hit eight three-point shots en route to a 72-54 victory over Benedictine University at Springfield.
The Owls hit 7-of-12 attempts from behind the arc in the first half to help them to a .533 shooting percentage in the first frame. Senior
Olivia Storjohann hit three first half trifectas as she scored a game-high 14 points.
William Woods improves to 9-2 in the American Midwest Conference and 18-3 overall on the year. The loss drops Benedictine University at Springfield to 0-11 in conference play and 3-18 overall.
A pair of
Katie Scherder three-point field goals gave the Owls an early 11-4 lead. Destani Stenrud drilled a trifecta to extend William Woods' lead to double-digits at 16-4 at the 15 minute mark.
WWU's trademark defense was on full display in the first stanza as they held BenU Springfield scoreless over five minutes as they built the lead to 25-4. The Bulldogs eventually scored at the 12:28 mark to bring their deficit to 25-6.
After a 4-0 spurt by BenU Springfield, both teams struggled to find the hoop as each squad went nearly five minutes scoreless.
Debra Boyd's three-point play broke the silence with 58 seconds left in the half to give the Owls a 37-14 lead.
Olivia Storjohann closed the half by hitting a pair of three-point basket as the Owls took a 43-15 lead into the locker room.
William Woods cooled off in the second half as they missed their first seven shots allowing Benedictine University at Springfield to pull within 22 points at 45-23 after a Jadlyn Harmony basket.
BenU Springfield cut the Owls lead to 48-29 after a Lucile Allen layup. On the inbounds the Bulldogs would steal the ball and draw the foul as Alexandria Barnett hit both free throws to bring them within 17.
Julia Wells nailed the eighth three-pointer for WWU that pushed the advantage back to 20 points with 10:42 left in the game.
The Bulldogs would not yield as they were able to cut the lead to 55-41 with 7:29 to play. William Woods would respond with a 10-4 run to build its lead back to 20 points.
The Owls would keep the lead around 20 points for the remainder of the game as they took the 72-54 victory.
William Woods had 10 players score in the game led by Storjohann's 14 points. Wells (12 points) and Scherder (10 points) were the only other Owls in double-figures. WWU also held a 48-35 advantage on the boards and shot .417 from the floor for the game.
The Owls return to action on Thursday as they host Hannibal-LaGrange University. Tip-off for this AMC showdown is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
