OSKALOOSA — The Statesmen women’s basketball team started strong, but could not keep up with MidAmerica Nazarene in an 80-51 Heart of America Athletic Conference loss Monday.

WPU (3-16, 2-13 Heart) was outshot 47.1%-27.9% and committed 18 turnovers, compared to just 10 for the Pioneers (10-9, 9-6 Heart).  The hosts countered with a 45-38 rebounding edge which led to a 15-8 margin for the Statesmen.

Falling behind 5-0 right out of the gate, William Penn did not shudder and answered to go up 12-11 on a three-pointer by Aiesha Feagins (Jr., Grand Prairie, Texas, Applied Mathematics) midway through the opening period.

Another long ball, this time by Ally Stewart (Sr., Victoria, Australia, Sports Management), knotted the contest at 22-22 at the halfway point of the first half, but MNU caught fire and managed 19 of the next 21 points for a 41-24 halftime lead.

The visiting crew continued its onslaught after the break and the Statesmen unfortunately could do little to stop it.  At game’s end, William Penn was doubled up in three-pointers (10-5), but doubled MidAmerica Nazarene at the free-throw line (12-6).

Feagins topped the navy and gold with 12 points, while Stewart’s three makes from behind the perimeter helped her to 11 points.

Mercer Roberts (Sr., Myrtle Beach, S.C., Wellness and Recreation) was next with eight points, while Alyssa Hames (Jr., Ackley, Iowa, Psychology) (7) and Amaria Turner (So., Des Moines, Iowa, Human Services) (6) also contributed Monday.

Hames also headed WPU on the glass with 10 rebounds, while Feagins managed three assists.

The Statesmen turnovers resulted in 19 MNU points, while WPU scored 10 points off of Pioneer mistakes.

Next Up: William Penn travels to Canton, Mo. Wednesday to face Culver-Stockton in Heart action at 5:30 p.m.