V-Hawks Lose Tight Match on the Road

OSKALOOSA, Iowa – The Viterbo University Women's Basketball team fell in a tight match at William Penn University (Iowa) on Wednesday night, 70-67. The V-Hawks fall to 0-2 on the year, while the Statesman improve to 1-1.

Macy Stellner scored the first points of the game following a Madison Hugdahl steal, but WPU responded with nine straight points. Gina Stefferud's put-back ended the run at 6:08, and back-to-back threes from Emma Wagner and Megan Miedema gave the lead back to Viterbo, 10-9. Another run for William Penn, interrupted by another Wagner three, helped them hold a 22-15 lead at the end of the first.

Six straight for the V-Hawks, including another Wagner three, brough the game within two, 27-25 at 7:11, and Nora Tucker's layup after a Miedema steal tied the game at 31-31. Pearla Teko-Folly gave VU the lead at 4:39, while also starting a 10-0 run, helping Viterbo take a 44-37 lead into half.

Stellner and Emily McCurdy kept the momentum in Viterbo's favor to start the third, however, William Penn took over, scoring 11 straight, and trailed by just two at 5:25. Stellner scored eight of the V-Hawks final 10 points in the period, keeping VU up 60-56.

The Statesmen were the first to score in the fourth, over two minutes into the quarter. Stefferud answered, but free throws helped WPU chip away at the lead, and they went up 64-63 with three minutes left. A Faith Putz layup put William Penn up three, but two from the stripe by Wagner brought it back to one. Stefferud hit a pair of free throw for the lead, but Putz hit a three to go back up two. After one more free throw put WPU three, Stellner had a look as time expired, but it was no good.

Wagner led all players with 17 points, while Stellner added 16, seven rebounds, and five steals. McCurdy also had seven rebounds to go with three assists. Putz had 15 points for the Statesmen, while Alyssa Hames had 12 and nine boards.

William Penn outshot Viterbo both from the field (36.5% - 30.3%) and from three (30% - 19.4%), while Viterbo grabbed more rebounds (51-45) and committed less turnovers (25-28).

The V-Hawks return to action on Monday, November 6 as they travel to Stephens College (Mo.).