Statesmen Use Late Surge to Defeat Ravens
Oskaloosa–A late second half comeback sparked William Penn’s victory over the Benedictine Ravens. The Statesmen, who moved to 19-1 overall and 10-1 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play, took the win by a score of 79-73.
The game started off with a bang as Q Cager (Sr., Hopkinsville, Ky., Wellness and Recreation) lobbed a pass to a streaking Kevion Blaylock (Sr., Houston, Texas, Information Technology) from nearly halfcourt after only four seconds had ticked off the clock, and Blaylock flushed it home for the opening basket. Both offenses went ice cold after that, with the Ravens finally tying the score at 2-2 after over three minutes of play.
Both teams traded blows as the game was played to a 21-21 deadlock. Josh Watkins (Sr., Chicago, Ill., Sports Mangement) came off the bench and drilled his first two attempts from downtown, and Malyk Thomas (Sr., Copperas Cove, Texas, Sports Management) added a pair of baskets. The visitors continued to try to create separation, but Cager answered on two straight possessions to keep the deficit at one.
Benedictine extended the lead out to five with just a minute left in the half, but Blaylock helped cut into the lead with four points in the final minute, and William Penn entered halftime trailing by three, 38-35.
Blaylock led the Statesmen with 11 points at the break, while Cager and Watkins each chipped in with six. The two teams had nearly identical field goal percentages with Benedictine taking a miniscule edge, 45.5%-45.2%, but the Ravens held a strong advantage on the boards, out-rebounding William Penn 20-13 in the half.
After allowing a quick basket, the navy and gold trimmed the lead to just one after a pair of free throws from Karmari Newman (Sr., Detroit, Mich., Digital Communication) and a dunk from Reyhan Cobb (Jr., Atlanta, Ga., Sociology). The Statesmen continued to struggle to put it all together, but fortunately, Benedictine had their own trouble with keeping momentum and could not create much separation, allowing the Statesmen to hang within seven points for the entire half.
After the Ravens took their biggest lead at 60-53, Blaylock was fouled on a shot attempt on the ensuing possession. The shot counted, and the three-point play was completed. Benedictine got a basket on the other end, but Blaylock hit another, and Watkins nailed another triple to cut the lead to one.
With the lead back at three, Thomas was fouled on a shot attempt and came to the line and hit a pair of clutch free throws. The Ravens nailed a three at the other end, but Watkins responded with one of his own. Thomas was fouled again, coming to the line once more. He only hit one of two, but the score was tied at 71-71, the first time the Ravens did not have the lead in the half.
The Statesmen got a stop on the other end, and the ball went to Blaylock. His initial attempt was blocked, but he got the second attempt to go with a foul, and hit the ensuing free throw to give William Penn its first lead of the half. The navy and gold held on the rest of the way for their 19th win of the season.
Blaylock earned a double-double, finishing with a game-high 25 points and 10 rebounds. Watkins had a big game off the bench with 14 points, and Thomas finished with nine points and six rebounds, including two huge ones down the final minutes. Chanze Cruesoe (So., St. Louis, Mo., Business Management) chipped in with eight points and nine boards as well.
“Thank goodness for Malyk Thomas tonight,” said Head Coach John Henry. “This was his signature game, I’m happy for him.”
What’s Next: The Statesmen will be on the road on Wednesday for their second matchup with the Peru State Bobcats. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM. In their first matchup this year, the Statesmen won an 89-86 nailbiter.
