Winning Streak to Seven with 90-76 Triumph
William Penn University Athletics
Canton, Mo.–A four-man wrecking crew led the Statesmen men’s basketball team to its seventh-straight victory as William Penn defeated Culver-Stockton 90-76 in Heart of America Athletic Conference action Saturday.
#4 WPU (11-1, 7-1 Heart) kept the Wildcats (1-11, 0-8 Heart) winless in the league by outshooting the home squad 51.6%-38.9%, including a 47.8% clip from the perimeter.
In what will hopefully be the last time the Statesmen are playing at less than full strength with regular starters Jarvis Haywood (Sr., Charlotte, N.C., Business Management) and Kevin Smith (Sr., Baltimore, Md., Physical Education) out of commission, the visitors gave up the opening bucket, but took the lead for good at 5-3 as part of a 7-0 run.
The advantage was just nine at the break (44-35), but William Penn only got warmer after intermission (53.1%) as it was ahead by double digits nearly the entire second stanza.
The navy and gold also ruled the glass 49-31, but did have to overcome 20 turnovers.
Torren Jones (Sr., Chandler, Ariz., Sociology) led his team’s quartet that accounted for all but 10 of WPU’s points. The senior had no problems netting another double-double with 24 points (10-for-15 FG) and 17 rebounds; he also blocked three shots.
A game after hitting seven three-pointers, Charles Knowles (Sr., Chicago, Ill., Physical Education) also eclipsed the 20-point mark, knocking down five trifectas en route to 22 points. Lionel Ellison (Sr., New Orleans, La., Kinesiology) neared double-double land, falling just short with 19 points, eight assists, and two steals.
Corbin Medley (Jr., Rogersville, Mo., General Accounting) connected on three long balls as part of a 15-point effort.
“This win was a great way to end the semester and head into the break,” Head Coach John Henry said.
Next Up: William Penn is off until 2017, returning to action on Wednesday, January 4 by traveling to Olathe, Kan. to face MidAmerica Nazarene in Heart action at 7:30 p.m.
