Statesmen Rally to Clip Eagles’ Wings
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Fayette, Mo.–The William Penn men’s basketball team torched the nets in the second half as it came from behind to knock off Central Methodist 75-66 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play Wednesday.
#16 WPU (19-6, 13-6 Heart) beat the Eagles (13-12, 8-11 Heart) in a battle of two preseason favorites that have been limping rather than galloping as of late. The Statesmen had lost five of seven prior to its current two-game winning streak, while CMU has now come up short in seven of its last eight contests.
Down eight with under 13 minutes on the clock, the visitors went on a 25-7 run to complete the season sweep of Central Methodist. The victors outshot the Eagles 51.9%-42.6%, but were unconscious after the break at 65.4%, including a 71.4% three-point mark (5-for-7). At game’s end, the navy and gold shot 53.3% from deep, while holding their hosts to a paltry 29.4% clip.
William Penn managed the first five points of the night, but CMU responded and led much of the half. The Statesmen were able to draw even at intermission (27-27) via a trifecta from Malyk Thomas (So., Copperas Cove, Texas, Computer Science).
After a low-scoring first session, both sides came out guns blazing, especially the home team, which turned a 35-31 deficit into a 48-40 lead. With help from numerous sources (no player scored over 14 points), William Penn took the edge for good at 53-52 as part of its 25-7 run. The Eagles got within five at the 2:43 mark, but the Statesmen answered the call and rolled to the win.
The team’s win, coupled with a loss by Peru State, puts WPU back atop the North Division standings by one-half game over the Bobcats. Benedictine, which is undefeated in the Heart, locked up the regular-season crown Wednesday, leaving everyone else to fight for runner-up status.
William Penn won despite making only 13 of its 21 free throws (61.9%), while CMU was much better at 15-for-19 (78.9%).
Marlon Alcindor (Sr., Queens, N.Y., Sociology) topped the navy and gold with 14 points on 5-for-8 shooting (4-for-5 3-PT). Four of the senior’s teammates joined him, including Shamar Bailey-DeCoteau (Jr., Toronto, Ontario, Undecided) tallying 12 points and a squad-best eight rebounds off the bench. The victors held a 36-27 advantage on the glass, which also included a 10-6 mark in second-chance points.
Omar Sherman (Sr., Duncanville, Texas) and Ahmad Pender (So., Chicago, Ill., Exercise Science), with 11 points each, and Abrian Edwards (Sr., Austin, Texas, Kinesiology), with 10 points, were above the mark as well. Edwards also recorded 10 assists and had a team-best two steals.
Thomas was good for eight points and Mario Manuel (So., Des Moines, Iowa, Sports Management) added six points as well in addition to four blocks.
WPU overcame committing four more turnovers than CMU (15-11) and actually outscored the hosts 18-15 in points off mistakes.
“Our bench players were fantastic tonight,” Head Coach John Henry said.
Next Up: William Penn travels to Lamoni Saturday to face Graceland in Heart action at 4 p.m.
