Statesmen Succumb to MMU on Road
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Cedar Rapids–Two players scored 20 points and two others were in double figures, but it was not enough to lift the William Penn men’s basketball team as it fell 92-84 to Mount Mercy in Heart of America Athletic Conference action Wednesday.
#16 William Penn (20-7, 14-7 Heart) had its three-game winning streak snapped as it was outshot 49.2%-42.5%. The Statesmen permitted 16 three-pointers (38.1%) by the Mustangs (15-13, 10-12 Heart).
The visitors, who made 12 trifectas themselves (35.3%), could not keep pace with MMU in its search for a regular season sweep.
The contest was a back-and-forth affair through the first 10 minutes, but the hosts took the lead for good at 25-22. It was 47-41 Mount Mercy edge at the break; at that juncture, the Mustangs had knocked down 10 long balls at a 47.6% clip.
WPU was fortunately able to slow down the perimeter onslaught (MMU was just 6-for-21 in the second half), but the Statesmen could not catch up with its opponent. Down by as many as 12 in the latter period, the Statesmen trimmed the deficit to five on numerous occasions inside the final eight minutes, but never drew any closer.
The navy and gold utilized a dominating glass presence (48-34 edge in rebounding, 17-7 offensive) to keep the contest close. Their offensive advantage led to a 13-4 mark in second-chance points.
William Penn was a bit more careless with the ball, committing 12 turnovers compared to 10 for Mount Mercy.
Darius Wheeler (Sr., Jonesboro, Ga., Sports Administration), with six three-pointers, and Marlon Alcindor (Sr., Queens, N.Y., Sociology), with five makes from beyond the arc, tried to answer MMU’s deep threat as they tied for the team lead with 20 points each. For Wheeler, the 20 points is a career high.
Abrian Edwards (Sr., Austin, Texas, Kinesiology) was a factor in every facet all night, just missing his third double-double of the year with 16 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds.
Shamar Bailey-DeCoteau (Jr., Toronto, Ontario, Undecided) had a tough shooting performance, but still netted 13 points, while Omar Sherman (Sr., Duncanville, Texas) contributed eight points. Malyk Thomas (So., Copperas Cove, Texas, Computer Science) finished with five points as well.
“Mount Mercy played really well tonight, and we did not match them,” Head Coach John Henry said. “Antwain Strong (12 points, 10 assists, nine rebounds) was hard for us to guard tonight; he set the tone for the game.”
Next Up: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa Saturday to host #2 Benedictine in Heart action at 4 p.m.
