Women’s Basketball Narrowly Falls to Culver-Stockton in Heartbreaking Finish

Canton, Mo. — The Graceland University women's basketball team suffered a disappointing 66-61 loss to Culver-Stockton College on Wednesday evening at the Charles Field House. Despite a strong effort and moments of brilliance, the Yellowjackets fell short in a game that slipped away in the final minutes.

Graceland led by as many as six points in the first quarter, driven by the inside dominance of Maxine Ampofo and sharp shooting from Camila Barreno, who tallied a game-high 14 points off the bench, including four 3-pointers. However, Culver-Stockton outscored the Yellowjackets 27-18 in the fourth quarter, capitalizing on turnovers and missed opportunities to secure the come-from-behind victory.

Sophomore forward Ampofo was a force on both ends of the court, recording a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Guard Kayloni Smolley added 8 points and a game-high 7 assists, keeping Graceland's offense moving against Culver-Stockton's pressure defense. The team showed improvement in ball movement and defensive rotations but struggled to maintain momentum in key stretches.

Head Coach Willie Scott reflected on the loss and its implications. "We just can't catch a break," Scott said. "We played hard, but we must learn how to close games out. On a good note, this was a valuable learning experience for us. Unfortunately, our starting point guard went down with a knee injury on the last play of the game, which makes the loss even tougher."

The game was a battle from the opening tip, with the Yellowjackets and Wildcats trading baskets through the first three quarters. Graceland's defense forced Culver-Stockton into 10 turnovers, but the Wildcats capitalized on their size advantage, outrebounding the Yellowjackets 52-44 and scoring 22 second-chance points. Katie Webb led Culver-Stockton with 16 points and 7 rebounds, including critical baskets in the final moments that sealed the win.

Graceland's offensive efficiency wavered throughout the game, with the team shooting 32.8% from the field and 36% from beyond the arc. Although the Yellowjackets' bench contributed 24 points, compared to 15 from Culver-Stockton, the team's struggles at the free-throw line (57.1%) proved costly in the closely contested matchup.

The loss drops Graceland to 2-5 overall and 0-3 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play. Despite the challenges, Coach Scott emphasized the team's resilience and focus on growth. "We've faced adversity this season with injuries and tough competition, but this team has fight," Scott added. "We're building, and these games are shaping us for the future. I'm proud of the effort, and we'll continue to push forward."

The Yellowjackets will look to regroup as they prepare for their next game on Saturday, November 23, at the University of St. Francis. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Pat Sullivan Center in Joliet, Ill. Graceland aims to end its non-conference slate on a positive note and carry momentum into the heart of HAAC play.

For more information on the Graceland women's basketball team and all Yellowjacket athletics, visit GUjackets.com.