Statesmen Fail to Avenge Nationals Loss to Robert Morris (Ill.)

William Penn Men’s Basketball

Chicago, Ill.–The William Penn men’s basketball team had #8 Robert Morris (Ill.) against the ropes, but could not deliver the knockout punch in falling 103-92 in the championship game of the Moody Bible Tournament Saturday.

The 18th-ranked Statesmen (7-3), who had their seven-game winning streak snapped, were unable to avenge last year’s national tournament quarterfinal loss to the Eagles (5-2).

WPU pulled out to a 49-42 halftime lead and pushed that advantage to as much as ten in the second stanza, but RMU battled back and pulled it out with a 50.6%-43.4% margin in shooting.

Antione Howard (Jr., Milwaukee, Wis., Physical Education) and Kelly Madison (Sr., Des Moines, Iowa, Physical Education) each managed a team-best 22 points, while Alec Schwab (Sr., Peru, Ill., Business Management) had 16.

Oliver Wells (Sr., Cedar Hill, Texas, Business Management) produced the best overall afternoon with a double-double of 15 points and ten assists (his third of the year). Erik McGee (Sr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Elementary Education) also guided a solid rebounding effort with 11 boards as the Statesmen held a 42-37 advantage against Robert Morris. The senior scored six points as did Shane Bosek (Jr., Lowry, Minn., Physical Education).

WPU held an 11-6 mark in three-pointers, but could not overcome six fewer free throws (21-15) and nine more turnovers (15-6).

“We had some lapses in the second half that killed us,” Head Coach John Henry said. “Unfortunately, we made way too many mistakes to beat a great team like Robert Morris.”

“I really like the team we have,” Henry added. “We are really coming along and we will keep at it.”

Next Up: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa Tuesday to host Simpson in non-conference play at 7 p.m.