Statesmen Fall to Missouri Valley on Senior Day
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–The William Penn men’s basketball team posted a strong second half for the second game in a row, but once again the rally fell short as it lost 98-87 to Heart of America Athletic Conference foe Missouri Valley on Senior Day Saturday.
#16 WPU (20-10, 14-10 Heart) trailed by as many as 26 points early in the latter period, but pulled to within seven in the last two minutes. Unfortunately, the hosts would come no closer as they ended the regular season on a four-game losing streak.
William Penn opens Heart Tournament play next Thursday. The Statesmen are the #3 seed and will host #6 seed Central Methodist in the quarterfinals at 7 p.m.
The Vikings (12-18, 10-14 Heart) pulled away early with a superior perimeter outing, connecting on 11 three-pointers for a 57-38 halftime edge. WPU also had issues with ball control with 15 first-half turnovers (just one for MVC), but was able to stay somewhat close with a strong performance on the boards. At game’s end, the navy and gold held a 48-27 mark in rebounding, including a 17-6 edge on the offensive glass which led to a 20-3 advantage in second-chance points.
The Statesmen reversed the three-point trend after the break, limiting the visitors to just one trifecta, while making seven themselves. Still down 19 at 85-66 with 7:07 left in regulation, William Penn went on a 14-4 run to make it interesting. The home squad’s rally trimmed the deficit to 93-86 with 1:33 remaining, but the MVC would not let WPU any closer.
William Penn was outshot 50.8%-41.9% and committed 22 turnovers, compared to 11 for Missouri Valley. The Statesmen were better than average at the charity stripe, making 25 of 33 tries for a 75.8% clip; MVC was 20-for-29 for 69.0%.
Omar Sherman (Sr., Duncanville, Texas, Sociology) guided the home team with a double-double of 24 points and 13 rebounds. The senior was 8-for-9 from the field and 8-for-11 at the line.
Darius Wheeler (Sr., Jonesboro, Ga., Sports Administration) hit a trio of three-pointers en route to 18 points, while Malyk Thomas (So., Copperas Cove, Texas, Computer Science) headed the bench with 13 points.
Marlon Alcindor (Sr., Queens, N.Y., Sociology) contributed eight points and Eddie Daley (So., DeWitt, Mich., Sports Management) finished with seven.
Abrian Edwards (Sr., Austin, Texas, Wellness and Recreation) ended the afternoon with four points, six assists, and two steals as well.
“We simply need to find a way to start games better,” Head Coach John Henry said. “We continue to have slow starts and it is really hurting us. Our defense unfortunately also continues to be poor. Unfortunately, until we change these things we will struggle.”
