OSKALOOSA, Iowa - William Woods women's basketball (0-5, 0-3 Heart) delivered one of its most complete performances of the season Friday night, but a late William Penn (3-7, 1-2 Heart) surge turned the final minute as the Owls fell 54–53 inside Penn Gymnasium. WWU led for more than 33 minutes and held a seven-point advantage early in the fourth before the Statesmen closed the game on a 12–5 run.
The Owls entered the final quarter with momentum and quickly extended their lead. After a defensive stop from Megan Hughes and a steal by Mya Pflasterer, the junior powered through contact for a layup pushing the lead to 41–34. Pflasterer added a free throw moments later, and Jersee Wren followed with a contested finish to restore a seven-point cushion at 46–39.
From there, William Penn began to chip away. A pair of free throws cut the lead to one, and a layup with three minutes remaining brought WWU's margin to 51–49. The Statesmen tied the game at 51–51 with just over two to play, but the Owls responded again—this time from Princess Brown, who drove the lane and scored off an assist from Abby Alivernia to reclaim a 53–51 lead right at the two-minute mark.
Penn matched with a jumper on their next possession, and a Woods costly turnover resulted in the Statesmen taking their first lead of the contest inside a minute to go in the game. WWU forced multiple stops in the final 30 seconds, including defensive rebounds from Mariah Prince and Brown, and had two looks at the rim on the final possession, but a pair of blocks by William Penn cemented the 54–53 finish.
Prince anchored the lineup with a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double alongside three assists, two steals, and a block, for her second consecutive game with a double-double. Wren added 12 points and three assists while playing all 40 minutes, and Pflasterer chipped in 9 points, 10 rebounds, and two steals. Layla Young provided a key spark with 7 points off the bench.
The Owls return to hardwood next Tuesday at fellow Heart of America Athletic Conference newcomer, and familiar foe, Missouri Baptist. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Deloris and Carl Petty Student Resource Center in Creve Coeur.
