OSKLOOSA, Iowa – William Penn knocked down 11 3-pointers, their second-highest total this season against an NAIA opponent as they overcame an early deficit against Women's Basketball.
The Statesmen used a 26-point second quarter to pull ahead of the Ravens en route to a 78-68 win.
The first quarter saw Benedictine jump out to a 9-2 lead as they limited William Penn to just one basket through the midpoint of the quarter. Despite William Penn closing the quarter outscoring Benedictine 12-6, the Ravens led 15-14 at the quarter break.
In the second quarter, the Statesmen found their range from behind the arc. They used 5 3-pointers to erase their first-quarter deficit and pull ahead by as much as 12 before a last-second layup from Alleigh Kramer pulled Benedictine back with 6 points, 40-34 at halftime.
Benedictine battled back throughout the third quarter but could never pull back ahead. The Statesmen kept the Ravens at arm's length as they were able to match their possession for possession. A 3-pointer from Kennedy Nicholson pulled Benedictine back within a basket, 54-51, with 36 seconds remaining in the third quarter only to have William Penn answer with another 3-pointer to take a 6-point lead into the fourth quarter.
After closing with 4 points twice in the fourth quarter, Aaliyah Raines pulled Benedictine back with a basket, 64-62, just under halfway through the quarter. That would be all the closer Benedictine would get as the Statesmen were able to hold off a potential fourth-quarter comeback from the Ravens.
Kramer led three Ravens in double figures with 13. Josie Weishaar added 12 points while Jennifer Jacobs added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Benedictine held a 44-30 advantage in points in the paint and finished with 10 second-chance points.
Benedictine returns home for its next two games, hosting Graceland University at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and Culver-Stockton College at Noon on Saturday. This week marks the return of the Benedictine Basketball Christmas Joy Toy Drive. Admission is free with the donation of an unopened toy to either game this week. All toys will remain in the Atchison community donating to the Atchison Salvation Army.
