WPU Takes TP Game Win with Late Rally
Torren Jones headlined the victory with 35 points and 11 rebounds
Oskaloosa–Rivalry games always seem to be tighter than one would expect and Tuesday’s latest battle added another memorable chapter in the William Penn-Grand View rivalry book as the Statesmen rallied to defeat the Vikings 89-83 in Heart of America Athletic Conference action Tuesday.
Despite many WPU students having already departed campus for Thanksgiving break, #3 William Penn (5-1, 3-1 Heart) was still buoyed, especially late, by a loud home crowd that came out in big numbers to launch bathroom tissue across the hardwood in Penn Gymnasium. The Vikings (4-2, 3-1 Heart) got on the board first, but after a couple of offensive rebounds, Torren Jones (Sr., Chandler, Ariz., Sociology) put the navy and gold on the scoreboard 40 seconds in and the TP was set free.
Unfortunately, the enthusiasm waned quickly as Grand View sprinted out to a 9-3 advantage. The tight matchup witnessed 13 ties and 15 lead changes, including eight ties and 10 lead switches before halftime. The visitors were a bit better after 20 minutes, however, holding a 44-40 edge.
The Statesmen, who have now won 10 of the last 11 games in the series, unfortunately could not fully solve the GVU defense nor slow its the offense. Even with its struggles, William Penn never trailed by more than eight and drew back to a 71-71 tie with 7:05 to go. Unfortunately, the Vikings went on a little spurt with eight in a row and the Statesmen ship seemed destined to sink.
The squad never gave up last Saturday after falling behind by 21 points against Baker and the hosts displayed that same amazing resilience Tuesday. Jarvis Haywood (Sr., Charlotte, N.C., Business Management) connected on four straight free throws and then capped a run of 12 straight points with another basket to put his team ahead 83-79 with 1:57 left.
The advantage grew to five in the final minute, but then it was Grand View that refused to quit with a long ball to make it a one-possession game at 85-83.
Haywood fortunately iced the win the next time down the floor by being on the receiving end of a great bounce pass from Rufus Williams (Sr., Tuscaloosa, Ala., Physical Education). Williams found his fellow senior cutting to the hoop and Haywood laid it off the glass. The Vikings could not come up with a response, turning the ball over, and Haywood concluded the night’s scoring with two more free throws to end with 16 points.
Haywood’s effort was solid, but it took a back seat to that of Jones, who finished with a massive double-double of 35 points and 11 rebounds. The senior was 11-for-19 from the field, but more impressively, was 13-for-15 at the charity stripe. Overall, William Penn made 26 of its 34 free throws (76.5%).
WPU outshot Grand View 41.7%-39.4% and improved on the glass as the night wore on to finish with a 49-42 edge in rebounding (16-11 in second-chance points). Both sides committed 12 turnovers.
Lionel Ellison (Sr., New Orleans, La., Kinesiology) joined the double-digit club with 18 points; he and Corbin Medley (Jr., Rogersville, Mo., General Accounting) both stole three passes as well. Medley recorded seven points and Charles Knowles (Sr., Chicago, Ill., Physical Education) came up with five.
Haywood and Kevin Smith (Sr., Baltimore, Md., Physical Education) both blocked a pair of shots Tuesday, while Smith also tallied four assists.
“Torren and Lionel were awesome tonight,” Head Coach John Henry said. “The basket we scored in the final seconds was a genius play design drawn up by Coach Sandquist. Rufus and Jarvis executed it well to clinch the win.”
Next Up: William Penn travels to Columbia, Mo. this weekend to compete in the Columbia Tournament. On Friday, the Statesmen meet #6 and host Columbia at 7:30 p.m., and then on Saturday, WPU takes on Missouri Baptist at 1 p.m.
