Statesmen Stunned by Evangel
William Penn University Athletics
Oskaloosa–Records and rankings were thrown out the window Saturday as the William Penn men’s basketball team was upset 90-89 by Evangel in Heart of America Athletic Conference play.
It could be said that the #5 Statesmen (13-2, 6-1 Heart), who lost for the first time in league play and the first time since their season opener on October 29, gave Saturday’s game away. WPU outshot the Crusaders (3-12, 2-5 Heart) 50.0%-47.8% and outrebounded them 50-30 (20-12 offensively), but failed to make up for 19 turnovers.
In a game that never saw a lead larger than seven points, the home team trailed 31-24 but rallied to go up 40-38 at the break. The back-and-forth battle featured 23 lead changes and 11 ties, but the navy and gold made a late run and appeared poised to hang on for one of those ‘ugly’ wins. Trailing 82-79, William Penn rattled off eight straight to hold an 87-82 edge with 1:07 on the clock.
Evangel cut into the margin with a three-pointer, but Dondre Alexander (Jr., Iowa City, Iowa, Physical Education) tallied the final two of his game-high 29 points on the other end.
Unfortunately, due to two William Penn fouls, the visitors were permitted chances to score points with the clock stopped. EU made one free throw, and then after a missed try by WPU, the Crusaders made another to make it 89-87. The second Evangel try was off-line, but the rebound was tracked down by Dylan Bekemeier and he hit the eventual game-winning three-pointer.
The Statesmen threw up a trio of good-looking shots on their end, but none would fall as their 13-game winning streak came to a close. It stands as the third-longest streak in program history.
Steven Roundtree (Sr., Jacksonville, Fla., Physical Education) added a monster game of 26 points and 20 rebounds, tying the season high for rebounds. Brady Burford (Sr., Chicago, Ill., Physical Education), with 12 points, and Jessie Pernell (Sr., North Augusta, S.C., Physical Education), with 10, also reached double digits. Josh Caldwell (Sr., Denver, Colo., Physical Education) added eight points in the setback.
Pernell also assisted seven times, while Alexander had two steals and Nick Jeffries (So., Altoona, Iowa, Exercise Science) blocked three shots.
WPU outscored EU 20-10 in second-chance points, but was outscored 21-11 in points off turnovers (EU only committed eight mistakes).
“Evangel is the best 3-12 team I have ever seen,” Head Coach John Henry said. “They have a lot of pride and tradition and they showed it tonight. I am interested to see how our team responds to this loss. Honestly, we may have needed it.”
Next Up: William Penn travels to Baldwin City, Kan. Monday to face Baker in Heart play at 7:30 p.m.
