Triple-Overtime Instant Classic Goes to Statesmen 109-108

Alan Douglas drives against #24 Ashford in Penn's triple over time win Saturday

Oskaloosa–In what William Penn fans will talk about for years, the Statesmen basketball team escaped with one of the most-exciting, nail-biting wins in program history, defeating #24 Ashford 109-108 in an MCC triple-overtime thriller Saturday afternoon.

Words could never accurately describe the surreal highs and lows that occurred in Penn Gymnasium as it was a must-see event that all in attendance will likely never forget.

In a contest that feature 20 ties and 19 lead changes, William Penn (11-10, 6-3 MCC) enjoyed the last laugh when LaBradford Williams (Jr., Kokomo, Ind., Brown Mackie), who had just entered the game 13 seconds earlier, drove down the left side of the lane and laid the ball in for the eventual game-winner with 1.3 seconds remaining.

The resulting in-bounds pass from Ashford (14-7, 6-3 MCC) hit the rafters and the ball was returned to the Statesmen, who managed to get the ball in and burn the final second off the clock to preserve the victory.

The home team held a 40-35 edge at halftime and did not give it up the entire second half. Up three with 20 seconds remaining, the Saints had one final try to force overtime, however, and a three-pointer by Javier Valdez hit nothing but net to accomplish just that.

Arman Rasul (Jr., Chicago, Ill., Illinois-Chicago) took the in-bounds pass, but his running trifecta was too strong and overtime was forced.

The hosts again pulled out ahead in the first extra period and faced a similar situation–stop the Saints on their final possession and walk off victorious. Jason Landry was the culprit this time around, unfortunately, as he put back a missed Valdez shot to tie the game with five seconds left. Blake Walker (So., Rose Garden, Campbell HS) attempted to be the hero by pushing the ball quickly up the court, but never got a shot off and the fourth period ensued.

This time around, it was the Statesmen who were forced to knot the contest late. Alan Douglas (Sr., Champaign, Ill., Lakeland CC), who finished with a career-high 39 points and 11 rebounds, hit a jumper in the paint and the navy and gold defense rose up and forced a difficult Ashford shot that went offline as time expired. Enter Overtime #3.

The third and final overtime was so incredible that not even Hollywood could have been scripted it. William Penn darted out to a seven-point edge with just 1:26 remaining. The game was seemingly in hand until the Saints rallied with a three-point play on their next possession. It had become a little more interesting.

After Douglas made one of two free throws to extend it to a five-point margin, sighs of relief were heard throughout the gym after Ashford only managed one point before returning the ball to William Penn. Score: 106-102 with 35 seconds left.

It was only a matter of making some final free throws and game, set, match. Unfortunately, Douglas was ‘nudged’ on the inbounds pass and stumbled forward. Instead of the whistle being blown for a foul, Douglas was called for travelling.

Ashford’s Joseph Lightfoot, who like Williams, made his debut late because of a teammate fouling out. He, also like Williams, then became a shocking hero by draining a trifecta to make it 106-105.

A fistbump said it all as William Penn Statesmen defeated #24 Ashford Saturday

Douglas was then fouled and only made one of two tries, extending it to two points, but a three-point play by Peter Tanzillo with just 14 seconds left gave Ashford its first lead of the final overtime. It also set the stage for Williams to don his Superman cape.

Douglas dribbled the ball across halfcourt, but was immediately double-teamed. To relieve the pressure, he passed the ball to Williams. With time running out, Douglas being draped by his defender, and his head coach yelling for him to take the ball himself, Williams stepped into Statesmen lore as he flew to the rim and utilized the backboard for the game-winning bucket.

The Statesmen outshot the Saints 45.8%-43.2% and committed just ten turnovers. While shooting and ball control were no Achilles’ heels for the home team, it failed to corral loose balls off the glass, being outrebounded a staggering 62-41.

The game was truly won or lost at the line more than anywhere else. A total of 61 fouls were whistled, resulting in 75 free throws. William Penn was 29-of-37 (78.4%), while Ashford finished a bit worse at 26-of-38 (68.4%).

Douglas was 13-of-18 at the stripe, while Walker, who tallied 25 points, was 13-of-15 in addition to five assists. Rasul added 17 points, while Keith Steffeck (Jr., Marion, Marion HS) produced nine points in only 11 minutes of action (fouled out).

“What can I say about game like this?” Head Coach John Henry said. “Most coaches go their entire careers and are never part of a triple-overtime game, while this is my third and we are, I am happy to say, 2-1 in those games.”

“It was an incredible game and both teams can point to tons of times where they could have won it,” Henry said. “The kids from Ashford played their hearts out and so did our guys, and I am just happy we came out on top.”

Next: The Statesmen travel to Forest City Monday to face Waldorf in MCC action at 7:30 p.m.