Statesmen Remain Perfect with 122-73 Win
Terrell Thompson elevates against Nebraska Christian on November 14th.
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–The William Penn men’s basketball team had a fight on its hands in the opening minutes, but a balanced attack led to another lopsided victory as it defeated Nebraska Christian 122-73 in non-conference play Tuesday.
#3 WPU (6-0), which shot 50.6% from the floor, had six players in double figures (11 total scorers).
The navy and gold went wire-to-wire to hand the Sentinels (5-1) their first loss, but they had trouble putting NCC in the rearview early on. The Statesmen, who led just 38-28 with 8:28 left in the first half, finally took control by scoring the next 13 points and were never threatened again.
A 61-38 halftime edge eventually grew to 50 points in the waning moments over the visitors, who shot 40.3% overall.
Mikeal Donaldson (Sr., Columbia, S.C.) headlined the William Penn effort with 22 points, including hitting all nine of his shots. He just missed a double-double with nine rebounds.
Terrell Thompson (Sr., Indianapolis, Ind., Wellness and Recreation) and Dominique Shaw (Sr., Lufkin, Texas, Wellness and Recreation) were able to accomplish the double-double feat, doing so in different categories. Thompson scored 20 points and dished out 13 assists, while Shaw tallied 19 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Shaw’s board showing helped guide William Penn to a 60-40 edge on the glass.
Thompson’s 13 assists ties for the fifth-most in program history and is the most since the 2013-2014 season.
Jovontae Carleton (Jr., El Cerrito, Calif., Sociology) was next on the scoring list, leading the bench personnel with 13 points. The junior was excellent on the defensive end as well with six steals. The Statesmen forced 23 turnovers, which they converted into 32 points.
JC Washington (Sr., Houston, Texas, Sociology), with 12 points, and Brandon Trotter (Sr., Louisville, Ky., Kinesiology), with 11, also reached double digits. Trotter blocked three shots as well.
As did most of his teammates, Corbin Medley (Sr., Rogersville, Mo., General Accounting) had an off night from deep (WPU was 7-for-32 collectively), but he still contributed eight points on a 5-for-5 showing at the free-throw line. The contest was slowed considerably, especially in the second half, by close officiating. A total of 53 fouls resulted in 75 free throws, including 51 by WPU. The hosts did not take advantage of all those extra tries, though, making only 31 for a 60.8% clip.
Isaac Sanders (So., Lexington, Mo., Industrial Technology) add seven points, while Darius Wheeler (Jr., Jonesboro, Ga., Sports Administration) finished with six.
Next Up: William Penn remains in Oskaloosa Friday, hosting Lincoln Christian (Ill.) in non-conference action at 7 p.m.
