FULTON, Mo.—The William Woods University women's basketball team earned its fourth win in a row on Saturday afternoon, as the Owls defeated Missouri Baptist University, 68-50, inside Anderson Arena.
The Owls (12-5; 8-4 AMC), shot 47.1 percent from the field in the game, including hitting an impressive 59.3 percent of its shots in the first half. The team also shot 34.8 percent from downtown and 57.1 percent from the free throw line.
Leading the way on the day was
Kennedy Volkart, as the Russellville, Missouri, native, recorded a team-high 14 points on 3-of-5 shooting, while going 8-of-12 from the free throw line and adding eight boards. Junior
Nia Lateju also reached the double-digit plateau, having 10 points and grabbing down eight rebounds as well.
Dennisha Rice contributed nine points, while
Kelsey Scherder totaled a season-high in points (eight) and rebounds (five), against the Spartans. Senior
Blake French,
Marissa Webb and
Karinne Lane, meanwhile, each added five points.
The Spartans (4-11; 4-7 AMC), were limited to just a field goal percentage of 39.0 percent. The team was led by Aimee Iverson, scoring a game-high 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting. Jerica Hawkins earned herself a double-double, totaling 14 points and 10 rebounds. Morgan Settle was third on MBU in scoring, having eight points and seven rebounds.
After jumping out to a fast start against No. 23-ranked Columbia College in its last time out, the Owls continued that again on Saturday, as they took a commanding 13-0 lead at the 13:58 mark, after Rice scored a two-pointer off a Spartan turnover.
Missouri Baptist would get on the board during its next time down the floor, as Hawkins was able to knock down both of her free throws, after being fouled on her shot attempt. MBU's first basket was not made until the 11:40 mark, after Kennedy Smith made her two point shot in the paint, which put the scoreboard at 15-5 William Woods.
The Owls would continue to hold its double-digit lead throughout the half, including extending its advantage to 27 points (42-15) with .32 seconds remaining, after Rice scored a second-chance bucket.
Hawkins would knock in two more free throws with .10 seconds left, but William Woods was still able to head into the locker room up 42-17.
The Owls defense limited the Spartans to just an 18.5 field goal percentage through 20:00 minutes play, while WWU outrebounded MBU 19-14 and were led by Volkart's nine points.
In the second half, the Owls continued to hold its advantage, as Volkart was able to make both of her free throws with 17:16 left in regulation, which put the Owls up 46-19.
Over the next nine minutes of play, however, the Spartans went on an impressive run of 16-4, capped off by Iverson's two point bucket, which now only put MBU down 50-35.
The next six minutes went back to the side of William Woods, as they responded with a 12-3 run of its own, as
Kendra Vernatti hit a 3-pointer at the 2:59 mark, which moved the Owls lead back up to 24 points, at 62-38.
Despite a late rally from Missouri Baptist, the Owls were still able to go on for the 68-50 victory, as the final horn sounded.
WWU did not shoot its best in the second half, hitting just 33.3 percent of its shots, but defensively, they were able to limit the Spartans to 37.1 percent shooting from the floor.
The Owls will look for its fifth win in a row again in front of the home crowd on January 22
nd, as the team hosts Stephens College. Tipoff will start at 7 p.m.
Fans make sure to stay updated on wwuowls.com next week for a full preview of Thursday's action.
