William Penn Athletics News- November 12th
William Penn University Athletics
Penn Men Take Down Hastings 77-62
Oskaloosa–The Statesmen cagers are beginning to figure it out as they dropped Hastings (Neb.) 77-62 in non-conference action Friday.
Penn (3-1) played strong defense and had five players in double figures in knocking off the Broncos (2-2), who reached the second round of the NAIA Division II national tournament a year ago.
The Statesmen started a bit slow, falling behind 5-0 early and then again by five at 21-16 before scoring seven in a row to take the lead for good at 23-21. The home team held a 36-30 advantage at the break.
It took a few minutes following intermission, but Penn finally blew the game wide open midway through the second half and owned a double-digit advantage the rest of the way. Hastings narrowed the margin to 12 on a pair of trips, but could get no closer.
Huzie Hambrite (Jr., Indianapolis, Ind., Ball State), who was thought to be lost for the year with an injury just two nights ago, came off the bench and was a force, leading all players in points (18 on 8-of-14 shooting) and assists (seven). He also tied two of his teammates with two steals. Hambrite’s 18 matches a season high.
Blake Walker (Fr., Smyrna, Ga., Campbell HS) also tied a season-high with 14 points, while Alan Douglas (Jr., Champaign, Ill., Lakeland CC) added 13.
Ryan Wilson (Sr., Ballwin, Mo., Missouri-Kansas City) recorded his third double-double of the campaign with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Nick Coffey (Sr., Hinsdale, Ill., Hinsdale Central HS) matched his senior mate with a dozen points.
Penn, who narrowly won the shooting battle 42.1%-41.7%, forced the Broncos into 24 turnovers (Penn had just 13), and converted that into a 27-9 edge in points off mistakes. The hosts also secured a 39-38 edge in rebounds, leading to a 12-8 margin in second-chance points.
The pressuring defense also limited Hastings’ success from behind the arc (2-of-15), but helped the visitors reach the line 32 times (20 makes). The Statesmen were just 7-of-10 from the stripe.
“This was a great win against a good opponent,” Statesmen Head Coach John Henry said. “It was a really great atmosphere in the gym tonight and I am proud of the guys for working so well together.”
Next: Penn begins a long seven-game stretch of road games by traveling to Marshall, Mo. Monday to face Missouri Valley in non-conference action at 7 p.m.
Lady Statesmen ‘D’ Up in 58-44 Win over Central Methodist
Oskaloosa–The Penn women’s basketball team did not shoot as well as it would have liked, but a great defensive effort still led to a 58-44 win over Central Methodist (Mo.) in non-conference action Friday.
The Lady Statesmen (2-2) were outshot 36.7%-29.9%, but forced 30 Eagle turnovers (just 13 for Penn) and from that netted a 24-5 advantage in points off mistakes.
Penn was also more aggressive offensively than its foe, going 16-of-21 from the free-throw line, while Central Methodist (0-4) was just 3-of-6.
The home team did not fire on all cylinders in the early going, but a bucket by Sarah Martin (So., Anthem, Ariz., Boulder Creek HS) gave Penn the lead at 13-11 and it never trailed again.
The Lady Statesmen owned a 30-18 halftime advantage and were never really challenged after the break.
Christa Subbert (Sr., Stanton, Stanton HS) topped all participants with 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting. Rachel Butler (Sr., Orange County, Calif., Cerritos CC) also hit the double-digit plateau with ten points (4-of-4 FT) and picked up her first double-double of the season with a game-high 14 rebounds.
Ashton Perez (Sr., Wildomar, Calif., Riverside CC) posted eight points and Martin contributed seven.
Subbert also led her squad with three steals and matched Samantha Darley (Sr., Gilbert, Ariz., Mesa HS) with three assists. Five different players recorded a block.
Penn narrowly lost the battle of the boards, 42-40, but had an 11-3 advantage in steals.
