The undefeated start continues for the Missouri Valley Women’s Basketball season, as the Vikings set the pace early in a 74-63 win over William Penn on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at the Burns Athletic Complex.

The Vikings completed 44 percent of their field goal attempts in the first quarter to stake a 23-12 lead. William Penn matched the Vikings in the second but faded in the third. Despite a 24-15 advantage to the Statesmen in the final term, the Vikings already put the game out of reach, boosted by impeccible free-throw shooting late in the game. Ylenia Exposito led the Vikings with 15 points, while Sophie Sullivan added 13 and Ricarda Schott scored 12. Carley West led William Penn with 23 points, while Azori Edwards added 14 before fouling out. The Viking women are now 6-0 on the season, including a 3-0 mark in Heart of America Athletic Conference play. William Penn are 1-5 overall and 0-3 in league action.

Meanwhile, the Missouri Valley Viking men are still winless in Heart play, after losing momentum in the second half to fall to William Penn 82-68. The game was tied at 39 apiece at the half, but the Vikings only completed 29 percent of their field goal attempts in the second, compared to Penn’s 50 percent. Jarrius Bennett was the only Viking in double figures with 22 points. Three Statesmen were in double figures, led by Naysean Baisy with 14 and Justin Bradley with 13. The Statesmen improve to 6-1 overall and 3-0 in conference play, while Missouri Valley fall to 1-5 overall and 0-3 in the Heart.

Viking basketball remains at home this weekend, with Peru State visiting for a Heart of America doubleheader. The women’s game tips off Saturday at 5 p.m., followed by the men’s contest at 7 p.m.