COLUMBIA, Mo.—The (RV) William Woods University women's basketball team will look for its fourth consecutive victory and first in American Midwest Conference (AMC) play on Thursday night, as the Owls take on Stephens College. Tip-off will start at 7 p.m.
The Owls (4-1), are coming off an 89-42 loss in an exhibition game at Western Illinois University.
Destani Stensrud led the Owls with 11 points in the game, while
Paige Stewart and
Marissa Webb each added five.
Prior to the game against the Leathernecks, WWU went 2-0 at the Southwestern Classic, as they defeated host Southwestern College 83-81 on Friday night, while following that up with an 82-81 win over Sterling College.
"We found a way to win in both outings, as the games could've went either way," said head coach
Dan Chapla. "I am really proud of our kids, especially on Saturday, when
Nia Lateju and
Kennedy Volkart fouled out with 8:00 minutes to go, which put us really shorthanded in the post, but we found a way when we went small, as we just scratched and clawed to make a couple big plays."
He added, "I thought
Blake French's play was outstanding on Saturday and
Paige Stewart came up with a big steal to end the game, so overall it was a good weekend for us and to get two quality wins against solid opponents and hopefully that just leads us into our conference."
The two victories pushed the winning streak out to a season-high three, where they have posted 78.3 points and are shooting 44.5 percent from the field and 73.2 percent from the charity stripe.
Junior transfer Lateju is scoring a team-high 15.7 points the last three games, while shooting 47.1 percent from the floor and 70.6 percent from the charity stripe.
French has also shot the ball well, averaging 15.3 points, hitting a team-high 55.2 percent of her shots from the floor, is a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line and has added a team-high 11 assists.
Volkart, who averaged 18.0 points at the Southwestern Classic, is scoring 12.0 points the last three outings, holds a shooting percentage of 53.6 and is second on the team in rebounds, earning 20.
"Kennedy had a breakout weekend, she just got some confidence and we hope it carries over," said Chapla. "She was really aggressive and we knew it was going to happen, the question was just when would she breakout."
Webb, meanwhile, a Poplar Bluff, Missouri, native, is the fourth Owl averaging double-figures in points (11.7 ppg), but leads the Owls in three-point field goal percentage (54.5) and rebounds (21).
On the season, the Owls are averaging 74.2 points, while defensively, they are limiting its opponents to 69.4 and a shooting percentage of 40.0.
The quartet of French (14.2 ppg), Lateju (14.0 ppg), Webb (12.0 ppg) and Volkart (10.4 ppg), are all averaging double-figures on the season, with each player shooting at least 41.0 percent from the field.
Awaiting the Owls on Thursday night is a Stephens College (0-4) team that is searching for its first win on the 2014-15 season, as they are coming off a tough 94-38 loss against Culver-Stockton College.
Offensively, the Stars are led by Makayla Butler, averaging 12.0 points, while she also leads the team in field goal percentage (38.9), free throw percentage (88.2) and rebounds (18). Dana Heggemann, meanwhile, is off to a quick start, scoring 11.8 points per game, including totaling a season-high 23 points against Missouri Valley College on November 10
th. Also averaging double figures is Katie Heaton, as the guard is totaling 11.3 points per game
"Stephens is a team that has been struggling thus far with a new coach, as they have been playing some young kids," said Chapla. "Regardless of that, however, it's our first conference game and everybody is 0-0 right now, so we just got to go over there, continue to get better and work on our things."
Fans make sure to stay updated on wwuowls.com tomorrow night for a full recap and score from Columbia, Missouri.
