Box Score
FULTON, Mo. -- Kennedy Volkart's first career double-double helped the William Woods University women's basketball team snap a two-game losing streak, as they defeated Benedictine University at Springfield, 88-55, on Tuesday night.
The Owls (10-5; 3-4 AMC) scored a season-high 88 points in the rout, as Volkart picked up her first career double-double with a team-best 16 points and 12 rebounds. It was also the first career start for the 6-2 freshman, as she set a new career-high in caroms and tied her previous best in points.
"Kennedy has really grown over these last two weeks," said Head Coach Dan Chapla. "She is becoming the player that we thought she could be for us. It's good for her to be active, and she had a great game at Lyon College, and since then, her confidence has continued to grow."
Volkart is averaging 13.3 points over her last three games, which includes a pair of 16-point performance against Lyon College and tonight against Benedictine University at Springfield (3-12; 1-6 AMC).
After allowing teams to score an average of 81.5 points during its two-game losing streak, the Owls defense returned on this night by holding BenU-Springfield (3-12; 1-6 AMC) to 55 points on an even 30 percent from the floor.
"I liked our effort defensively right from the start," said Chapla. "That's really been a vocal point for us here lately, to get better on defense. We want to come out and play hard every game. We did that tonight, and it allowed us an opportunity to play everyone."
William Woods had a season-best 12 players in scoring column, led by Volkart's 16-point performance. Blake French was the only other Owl in double-digits by scoring 12 points on the night.
WWU also had 13 players record at least one rebound, as they tallied a season-best 68 caroms on the night. Junior Paige Stewart posted a career-best 12 rebounds to match Volkart's total. The active forward led the team with nine defensive rebounds in her first start of the season.
"Paige brings a lot of energy to our team every day," Chapla said of his junior. "She always has her hands in the passing lane, and crashes the glass hard. She didn't score tonight, but she is capable of hitting some long distance shots and driving to the basket."
The Owls started the night slow, as they were breaking in a new starting line-up, and held just a two-point lead at 10-8 after the game's first five minutes.
William Woods eventually found its rhythm, as they went on a 30-6 run midway through the first half to extend its lead to first half high 26 points at 40-14. Benedictine University at Springfield closed the first frame by scoring five of the final seven points, as they trailed WWU 42-19 going into the locker room.
The Owls maintained its mid-20's lead for much of the second half, and pushed its advantage to a game-best 35 points towards the end of the frame, before settling for the 88-55 victory.
It will be a short break for William Woods, as they hit the road for the fourth time in its last five games, as they travel to the Bluegrass State to take on American Midwest Conference newcomer Mid-Continent University. Tip-off from Mayfield, Ky., is set for 5:30 p.m.
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