No. 16 Lady Owls rout Missouri Valley

The No. 16 William Woods University Lady Owls shot 52 percent in the second half Wednesday night to pull away for a 72-49 manhandling of Missouri Valley College at Anderson Arena.

William Woods was just 10-of-26 (39 percent) from the field in the first half and went into halftime with a 28-18 advantage. The Lady Owls, though, found their shooting touch in the final 20 minutes, hitting 15-of-29 attempts to raise their season record to 4-0.

Senior forward Jestine Gerber ended up with 13 points to spark William Woods, which shot 46 percent (25-of-55) for the game but was burdened by 24 turnovers. Senior forward Rachel Baker, junior center Miranda Loesch and junior forward Megan Aubuchon added eight points apiece.

Loesch pulled down six rebounds to direct the Lady Owls to a 41-36 advantage on the boards. Baker also posted six blocks, five assists, four rebounds and two steals.

Shateah West answered with a game-high 15 points as the only player to score in double figures for Missouri Valley (1-2), which was limited to 31-percent shooting (19-of-61) by William Woods. The Lady Vikings also committed 23 turnovers.

The Lady Owls face Johnson and Wales College at 6 tonight in the first round of the University of St. Mary Classic in Leavenworth, Kan. William Woods then finishes tournament play against host St. Mary at 3 p.m. Saturday.