WPU Falters Late Against Ashford
William Penn University Athletics
Oskaloosa–Despite struggling from the floor, the Statesmen men’s basketball team was in position until the last few minutes to claim the season sweep over non-conference foe Ashford in a 76-67 loss Wednesday.
William Penn (15-11) had four players in double figures, led by Shane Bosek (Jr., Lowry, Minn., Physical Education) with a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds (seventh of the year).
The squad was outshot 48.1%-37.1%, but a 41-35 rebounding margin (19-9 on the offensive end) kept the team close. WPU turned those extra opportunities into 14 second-chance points.
The home team started strong, leading 23-13 just 8:14 into the evening. Unfortunately, the navy and gold, who dropped AU 74-67 back on November 21, could not keep the Saints (16-11) at bay. The visitors responded with a 20-4 run to lead 33-27, but WPU fortunately found its footing again before intermission to go up 35-33 at halftime.
William Penn remained on top for the first part of the latter stanza, but in a second half where a lead bigger than six never came until the final seconds, Ashford recaptured the margin at 52-49. Behind by six at 59-53, eight unanswered points gave the Statesmen the lead one final time.
The final ticks were unfortunately not kind to WPU, though, as turnovers and missed shots kept the squad from keeping pace. Down only three at 66-63, the Statesmen were outscored 10-4 over the final 1:39.
Oliver Wells (Sr., Cedar Hill, Texas, Business Management) matched Bosek with a double-double of his own (his seventh as well) by tallying 10 points and 11 assists.
Alec Schwab (Sr., Peru, Ill., Business Management) finished with 15 points and three steals, while Jake Guenther (Jr., Altoona, Iowa, Secondary Education) hit a team-best three three-pointers en route to 11 points.
Sam Sykes (Jr., Houston, Texas, Business Management) managed seven points off the bench and also blocked four shots in a game that featured 13 blocks.
Next Up: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa Saturday to host St. Ambrose in MCC action at 3 p.m. The game will also serve as Senior Day.
