Graceland Snaps 13-Game Skid with Commanding Overtime Victory at William Penn
OSKALOOSA, Iowa — The Graceland University women's basketball team earned a breakthrough win Tuesday night, defeating William Penn University 73–60 in overtime at Penn Gymnasium. The result marked the Yellowjackets' first Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) road win of the season, and snapped a 13-game losing streak, as Graceland improved to 2-16 overall and 1-9 in league play. William Penn fell to 5-13 overall, 2-8 in the HAAC.
The Yellowjackets outscored the Statesmen 20–7 in the extra period, executing on both ends to secure their first victory since Nov. 8, when they defeated Waldorf University at home in Lamoni.
Graceland shot 40.9 percent from the floor, held a 48–43 edge on the glass, and went 15-of-19 at the free-throw line, including a perfect 10-of-10 in the fourth quarter and overtime.
"This was a huge win for our program," said head coach Willie Scott. "We've stayed committed to the process and to each other, and tonight we saw the results. The team showed heart, discipline, and the belief that we could finish. Breaking the streak on the road, in a conference game, speaks volumes about our growth."
Maxine Ampofo led the Jackets with 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Sariah Bradley added 16 points, including a three-point play during the overtime run. Oliviya Tinoco registered a double-double of 15 points and 11 boards, and Ianara Morbidoni added 14 points, including the game-tying jumper with 10 seconds left in regulation.
Graceland trailed 26–22 at halftime but won the third quarter 17–11, turning the game in their favor. The fourth quarter saw multiple lead changes, and Morbidoni's late jumper sent the game to overtime tied at 53.
In the extra session, Tinoco knocked down a key three-pointer, and the Yellowjackets forced turnovers on consecutive possessions to swing momentum. Graceland finished the game on a 10–0 run, with Bradley, Ampofo, and Morbidoni converting at the line to put the game out of reach.
Graceland held William Penn to 30.9 percent shooting overall and just 21.9 percent from three-point range. The Jackets also posted a 38–24 advantage in points in the paint, a 14–10 edge in points off turnovers, and logged 10 team steals.
Bradley contributed four steals and was perfect at the stripe (5-of-5). Morbidoni added three blocks and seven rebounds. Off the bench, Angelique Taylor scored 10 points in just 13 minutes, going 4-of-5 from the floor.
William Penn was led by Kayla Peoples with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Kayla Jones scored 14. The Statesmen missed 10 free throws and turned the ball over 16 times.
The victory was Graceland's first since November 8, and its first conference win of the 2025–26 season.
Graceland returns to the floor on Saturday, Jan. 17, traveling to face Baker University in HAAC play. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. CST at the Collins Center in Baldwin City, Kansas.
For more information on Graceland women's basketball and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.