FULTON, Mo. – The William Woods University women's basketball team captured their third straight win of the season Saturday afternoon as they defeated Graceland University 52-40.

Kaycee Gerald led WWU with 14 points and four assists. Peyton Greenlee and Kasey Hazell followed with 11 points while Jazlyn Drake scored seven.
 
What's Next?
The Owls return to action Wednesday, Nov. 13, as they host Culver-Stockton. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. at Anderson Arena.
 
By the Numbers
32% - WWU shot 33% from the field
82% - William Woods shot 82% from the foul line
11 – As a team, the Owls scored 11 second chance points
13 – William Woods scored 13 points off turnovers
26 – The Owls recorded 26 points in the paint
 
Game Flow
Graceland opened the first period with a quick 7-0 run. A fast break layup from Gerald finally put the Owls on the board and stopped an early Yellow Jacket run.

With Owls down five, Carleigh Jenkins was able to put them within three when her basket in the paint connected, making the score 7-4.

GU was able to push the lead back up to five when Brooke Vermeer knocked down both of her foul shots.

William Woods remained behind up until the 3:24 mark when a second chance basket fell through from Kasey Hazell tying the game 11-11.

Hazell scored again moments later giving the Owls their first lead of the game. With a two-point lead in WWU's favor, Drake hit a huge three-pointer, pushing their lead to 16-11.

The Yellow Jackets immediately responded with a three-point basket of their own coming from Calesse Bair. They were able to get within two of WWU before a pair of Drake free throws gave William Woods an 18-14 lead going into the second quarter.

After a late first quarter run, WWU continued the aggressive attack early in the second by getting out to a 25-16 advantage.

Graceland was able to cut their deficit down to seven on a Vermeer midrange, but a pair of Rylie Cox free throws extended the WWU lead back to nine.

With 1:51 remaining in the half, Vermeer knocked down another 2-point basket putting GU behind 29-22, but Cox went on to knock down another free throw for William Woods and gave them a 30-22 halftime lead.

After gaining a comfortable halftime lead, William Woods opened the second half by getting out to a 34-24 lead over the Yellow Jackets.

Emma Burns was able to temporally slow down the Owls with a two-point basket, but WWU responded by increasing their lead to 38-26.

Towards the end of the third period, Gerald connected on a two-point basket, giving the Owls their largest lead of the game, 44-28. Graceland responded with a three-pointer and put them behind 44-31 going into the fourth.

Much like the rest of the game, WWU continued to hold their lead in the fourth quarter.

Graceland was able to cut the deficit down to eight before a Ashleigh Frampton two-pointer pushed the scored to 50-40 with two minutes left in regulation.

Gerald scored the final point of the game on a solo fast break, securing a 52-40 victory for William Woods.