Statesmen Win League Opener 89-80 Over St. Ambrose
William Penn University Athletics
Davenport–The William Penn men’s basketball team, behind 27 points from Brandon Beasley (Sr., Indianapolis, Ind., Physical Education), picked up a huge road win in Midwest Collegiate Conference play Saturday by topping St. Ambrose 89-80.
With the victory, the #7 Statesmen (17-1, 1-0 MCC) moved their new winning streak to three games and snapped their four-game skid to the Fighting Bees (6-10, 0-2 MCC).
The visitors, who were playing without injured starting point guard James Devlin (Sr., Tampa, Fla., Sociology), exchanged baskets with their hosts early, but finally took the lead for good at 13-12 on a jumper by Beasley just 4:06 into the afternoon.
The margin grew and sank in the first half with the navy and gold eventually up 48-39 at halftime courtesy of a 54.3%-42.9% shooting advantage.
William Penn built its lead to as much as 14 points midway through the final stanza, but St. Ambrose was a feisty foe and clawed back to within three at 74-71 with 4:38 remaining.
Seven unanswered put the visitors back in the driver’s seat only to witness another Fighting Bee charge. St. Ambrose answered with seven points of its own to again trail by just three at 81-78 at the 1:51 mark.
The Statesmen were sent to the line several times in the waning seconds. They did little to help their cause, though, by making only four of their eight final tries (16-of-26 overall). Fortunately, the Fighting Bee offense was equally inept, connecting on just one of its final six field goal attempts. SAU also turned the ball over twice as William Penn snuck out of Lee Lohman Arena with the win.
The visitors managed to hold on without the use of three of their starters, Walker, Beasley, and Steffeck, who all fouled out during the second half. Steffeck was actually gone prior to the midway point of the stanza.
The Statesmen outshot the Fighting Bees 47.7%-40.3%.
Beasley’s 27 points came on 9-of-17 shooting (7-of-10 FT, 2-of-5 3-PT), while three others notched double figures as well.
Reigning MCC Player of the Week Arman Rasul (Sr., Chicago, Ill., Sociology) scored 15 points and led the rebounding charge with eight boards. William Penn dominated the glass 48-33, leading to an 11-3 mark in second-chance points.
Keith Steffeck (Sr., Marion, Iowa, Physical Education), with 14 points, and Kevin Fay (Jr., Hennepin, Ill., Education), with 11 points, both made a pair of three-pointers.
Taylor Stoutner (Sr., Keota, Iowa, Physical Education) added eight points off the bench with another two trifectas. The navy and gold hit 11 shots from behind the arc compared to just seven for the home team. The senior also topped WPU with three steals.
Blake Walker (Jr., Rose Garden, Ga., Physical Education) managed six points, but more importantly dished out six assists as Devlin’s replacement at the point.
“We overcame a lot of obstacles tonight to pull off a tough road win,” Head Coach John Henry said. “We were battling a whole lot of things, including fouls and injuries, so getting this win was awesome. We look forward to keeping it going next time out.”
Next: William Penn remains on the road Wednesday, traveling to Des Moines to face AIB in MCC play at 7:30 p.m.
