Statesmen Lose to IU Kokomo for First Setback of Campaign

Chicago, Ill.–The William Penn men’s basketball team was unable to keep up with IU Kokomo as it fell 90-60 in the championship game of the Governors State Tip-Off Classic Saturday.

#19 WPU (1-1) was outshot 54.8%-37.0% and outrebounded 43-34, but was a bit better at the free-throw line at 15-for-21 (IUK was 16-for-25).

The navy and gold fell behind 8-0 after just 98 seconds of action. The Statesmen scored four unanswered, however, but could never get any closer, eventually trailing 49-28 at halftime.

William Penn shot 40.0% after intermission, but failed to mount a comeback against the Cougars (2-0).

A total of 11 Statesmen scored Saturday with Jayvin Brown (So., Waldorf, Md., Business Management) leading the way with nine points. Jimarius Sneed (Jr., Chicago, Ill., Computer Science) and Manny Hammonds (Fr., Des Moines, Iowa, New Media) were next with eight, while Jaz Farrell (Sr., Miramar, Fla., Undecided) tallied seven points.

Lakaveon Odom (Sr., Memphis, Tenn., Sports Management) contributed six points, while Cam Marshall (So., San Diego, Calif., Sports Management) and Marcus Bell (Sr., Shreveport, La., Wellness and Recreation) both finished with five points.

Bell also corralled a squad-best seven rebounds, while Sneed stole three balls.

WPU was also unable to overcome 20 turnovers (10 for the Cougars).

“Today was an embarrassing game for us in all facets,” Head Coach John Henry said. “However, we will learn from this and get better.”

Next Up: William Penn travels to Seward, Neb. next Friday to face Hastings in the opener of the Concordia Classic.