FULTON, Mo. - Playing in an uncharacteristic spot as the nightcap in its season opener, William Woods (1-0) held Kansas Christian College (0-2) to single digit scoring in three of four quarters, rolling to an 82-31 win on the afternoon.
Katie Keilholz scored 18 points and added a game-high three steals, with
Aiyanna Tanksley posting a double-double (10 pts, 10 reb) in her Woods debut.
Tipping off following the men's contest, both teams struggled a bit to find a rhythm after the shorter warmup period. WWU scored first, but a triple by Laura Guillamat-Ribo put the visiting Falcons in front 3-2. The basket would be the only field goal of the first quarter for KCC, as William Woods blew open an 18-3 lead.
Tanksley was a strong presence in the block for Woods all night as well, but particularly in the second quarter as she grabbed six rebounds (2 ORB) and added six points. Keilholz also found her range in the second period, with a pair of long-range baskets to go along with two steals and an assist.
After the Woods took a 40-13 lead into the locker room, Keilholz led a third-quarter explosion, scoring four of WWU's first five baskets, including back-to-back-to-back treys.
Jersee Wren had the dime on the first of the set, with
Sydney Booker finding Keilholz on the second and third.
Kourtney Kendrick followed up with a three-pointer of her own to extend WWU's margin to 38.
A basket by KCC's Ashley Daniels at the 4:38 mark was just a speed bump for the Woods in the third, as the Owls scored 14 straight to end the third quarter with a 71-21 lead.
Head coach
Terry Nash took his foot off the accelerator in the fourth quarter, with his bench playing the entirety of the final frame. WWU still managed to extend the overall margin to 51 as
Madison Adolphsen poured in eight points.
William Woods hits the road next week, traveling to Point Lookout, Mo., to face the College of the Ozarks. Tipoff for Friday night's contest is set for 5 p.m.
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