WPU Drops 120-111 Shootout to Graceland
William Penn University Athletics
Lamoni–The offense was up to the task, but the effort on the other end of the floor came up short as the Statesmen men’s basketball team fell 120-111 to Graceland in non-conference play Friday.
William Penn (0-4), which has bettered its scoring output in every game this season, unfortunately could not overcome a 54.2%-51.2% shooting deficit.
The loss came despite a career-high 38 points from Blake Walker (Sr., Rose Garden, Physical Education). The senior tried to put the Statesmen on his back, finishing 15-for-24 from the field (2-for-2 3-PT). He also tied for the squad lead in rebounds (8), assists (3), blocks (1), and steals (1).
The 38 points are the most since Kevin Fay (Sr., Hennepin, Ill., Education) had 38 points as well just over one year ago (November 7, 2012 against Nebraska Christian)–also the fourth game of the season.
The visitors stormed to a 14-point edge at 36-22 just 10:29 into the evening, but the Yellowjackets (2-1) responded to trail by just one at intermission.
Graceland eventually took the lead for good less than two minutes into the stanza. The home team’s margin grew to 12 points at the 12:05 mark before WPU rallied to get within three with 5:30 to go. The rest of regulation unfortunately went in favor of the Yellowjackets.
Fay added 18 points, while Kelly Madison (Jr., Des Moines, Iowa, Physical Education) posted 17 points. Both players made three trifectas in the setback.
Alec Schwab (Jr., Peru, Ill., Business Management) with ten points, and Erik McGee (Jr., Oskaloosa, Iowa) and Mike Aldeman (Jr., Iowa City, Iowa), both with eight points, were also effective offensively.
Roberts Baltruns (So., Riga, Latvia, Business Management) matched Walker with eight rebounds.
William Penn committed one less turnover (9-10) than Graceland, leading to a 16-12 edge in points off mistakes. The Statesmen lost the rebounding battle, 47-40, but still managed to outscore GU 20-19 in second-chance points.
The visitors had issues at the charity stripe, finishing with a 57.7% clip (15-for-26), while Graceland was 19-for-27 (70.4%).
Next: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa next Saturday to host Finlandia (Mich.) in non-conference action at 1 p.m.
