MVC basketball: Lady Vikings shot down by WWU

The Missouri Valley College women's basketball team suffered through a poor shooting night Wednesday during a 58-47 non-conference home loss to William Woods.

The Lady Vikings shot 31.5 percent from the field, including one of 11 from three-point range. Conversely, the Lady Owls made 45.7 percent of their attempts from the floor, while also controlling the boards by a 39-28 margin.

The first half was close, though, with William Woods leading by four points at the break after junior Jestine Gerber knocked down a three-pointer in the closing seconds.

Buckets by senior Eshell Estrella and junior Rachel Baker -- the former Mexico standout -- widened the gap to eight points during the first minute of the second half.

Junior Chelsea Quiring made a deuce and two free throws as Valley closed to within two points, but the Lady Owls got a bomb from sophomore Laken Enochs and lay-ups by sophomores Jordan Floyd and Ciara Tatum for a 35-26 lead with 13:47 left in the game.

The gap was seven points with eighth-and-a-half minutes to go when the Lady Vikings got a goal from freshman Sami Jackson and conventional three-point play by senior Jean Dooley to slice the deficit to two.

That was close as Valley would get. Over the next three minutes, William Woods sank six of eight free throws -- and got a basket from Gerber -- while the Lady Vikings were one of three from the field and committed three turnovers.

A steal by Estrella led to an easy basket as the Lady Owls' cushion reached 12 points with 3:25 left, and that was more than enough.

Estrella had a game-high 18 points and Baker added seven points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots for William Woods (4-0).

For the second time this season, Valley had no players score in double figures. Quiring led the Lady Vikings (2-3) with nine points, nine boards and seven steals.

Valley will play two games in the Northwest Missouri State Tournament this weekend.