Streaks Snapped in Loss to Graceland
William Penn Mens Basketball lost their first home game in just over 2 years on Saturday to Graceland University.
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–It had been a very long time since the Statesmen men’s basketball team had lost at home, but unfortunately all good things must come to an end and they did Saturday in a 91-77 Heart of America Athletic Conference setback to Graceland.
#1 WPU (21-2, 11-2 Heart) had won 37 consecutive home games, dating back to January 9, 2016–a span of 756 days (2 years, 25 days). The streak is believed to have been the longest current home one in the NAIA entering Saturday. The navy and gold also witnessed their 10-game overall winning streak also come to a close.
The hosts now lead the trio of Graceland, Peru State, and Central Methodist by just one game in the league.
Ten days earlier in Penn Gymnasium, the Statesmen broke a school record for most points in a conference game, but it was evident early that that performance was not going to be replicated. The Yellowjackets (16-8, 10-3 Heart) refused to participate in a high-scoring affair. They wanted to slow everything down, in fact, not starting most of their possessions until more than half of the shot clock had transpired.
It worked in the beginning minutes with the visitors leading 18-13 at the halfway point of the first stanza. In its last home contest, William Penn had already scored 35 points at the midway juncture. The home squad did warm up and eventually went into the break ahead 35-29.
WPU was being outshot 43.3%-38.9%, but was taking care of business in other ways to stay on top. The Statesmen managed to be in the ‘black’ on Black Out Night, just barely keeping the Yellowjackets at bay.
Graceland, though, could not be slowed down after halftime and took the lead for good at 64-61. The game was tied one final time at 66-66 with 6:48 to go, but the visitors, who shot 70.0% in the latter half, were too much. When the final horn sounded and William Penn’s two massive streaks were extinguished, the navy and gold were outshot 56.7%-42.6%.
WPU also came up short in rebounding at 38-37; GU had only nine offensive rebounds (WPU had 16), but held a 17-8 mark in second-chance points. The hosts also struggled at the line with a 50.0% clip, while the Yellowjackets finished at 71.4%.
“Graceland out-played, out-worked, and out-coached us tonight,” Head Coach John Henry said. “Losing at home is not something that happens to us very often. Graceland beat us today and deserves a tip of the cap.”
Dominique Shaw (Sr., Lufkin, Texas, Wellness and Recreation) got in early foul trouble, but worked past that to have a great offensive outing with a game-high 28 points. The senior made six three-pointers, but WPU shot just 31.0% from deep as a team.
D’Angelo Allen (Jr., Dallas, Texas, Wellness and Recreation) added 12 points off the bench, while Aakim Saintil (Sr., West Orange, N.J., Business Management) also reached double figures with 10 points.
Corbin Medley (Sr., Rogersville, Mo., General Accounting) knocked down a trio of trifectas for nine points, while JC Washington (Sr., Houston, Texas, Sociology) contributed six points. Washington and Allen both pulled down eight rebounds; Washington had two blocks as well. Saintil and Terrell Thompson (Sr., Indianapolis, Ind., Wellness and Recreation) assisted six times each Saturday.
Next Up: William Penn remains in Oskaloosa next Wednesday to host Peru State in Heart action at 7:30 p.m.
