Women’s Basketball Takes First Conference Win from William Penn

Oskaloosa, Iowa - The Graceland University Women's Basketball team traveled to take on the William Penn University Statemen in the conference opener. The Yellowjackets defeated the Statesmen, 71-70. Moving to 3-2 on the season and 1-0 in the Heart

Graceland (3-2; 1-0) | William Penn (1-5; 0-2)
Quarter 1: Graceland 14 | William Penn 22
The Statesmen would pull an early lead (12-3; five-minute mark). The run would be broken by a Camry Dillie three-pointer (12-16). The Yellowjackets would add a late five-point jump from a made basket by Sariah Bradley and a Dillie three.

Quarter 2: Graceland 18 | William Penn 25
Camry Dillie would open the second quarter from the deep. The Statesmen would answer with their own collection, increasing their lead to 11 (28-17). Both teams would trade baskets. Alana Swift would close the first half with a jumper, and the Statesmen led 47-32.

Quarter 3: Graceland 16 | William Penn 11
The Yellowjackets would turn up the heat, starting with a Bryanna Griffiths three-pointer. Graceland would work on an eight-point collection of Avery Walker-Henry, Heaven Mbaruk, and Alana Swift baskets. William Penn responded by sinking five points (54-43). Graceland would close the gap to ten points from a Janiyah Davis three (58-48).

Quarter 4: Graceland 23 | William Penn 12
The Yellowjackets would continue their fire, closing their deficit to five points; Heaven Mbaruk and Sophia Rodriguez would contribute. Graceland would continue to close their gap; Janiyah Davis, Mbaruk and Rodriguez would add points. Mbaruk would sink a layup to even the score with just over one minute remaining. Alan Swift would take the lead with a layup and solidify the victory with made charity stripes. The Yellowjackets would hold their lead in the remaining second for a 71-70 victory.

By the numbers:
27-26 – Graceland had one more field goal than William Penn
12-7 – The Yellowjackets would hit five more threes than the Statesmen
35-39 – Graceland's rebounds compared to William Penn

Graceland Leaders:
Scoring Leader: Janiyah Davis – 16
Rebounding Leader: Heaven Mbaruk – 10
Assist Leader: Heaven Mbaruk – 6
Steal Leader: Janiyah Davis / Sariah Bradley – 3

William Penn Leaders:
Scoring Leader: Mercer Roberts – 21
Rebounding Leader: Alyssa Hames – 10
Assist Leader: Aliyah Myers – 11
Steal Leader: Aliyah Myers – 3

Up Next:
The Yellowjackets will be back on the court on Sunday, November 19 when they take on the Missouri Valley College Vikings. Tip-off is set for 2:00 pm.

-Yellowjackets-