Alcindor Destroys Three-Point Record as WPU Handles Crusaders
Alcindor’s 12 trifectas break a school record, previously set at 10 by Kevin Fay and Taylor Stoutner.
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–If the first five games did not provide enough evidence, Marlon Alcindor (Sr., Queens, N.Y.) made it abundantly clear Saturday that he can flat out shoot as he broke a record in helping the William Penn men’s basketball team to a 109-73 Heart of America Athletic Conference victory over Evangel.
#2 WPU (6-0, 2-0) Heart) remained perfect on the season and reached the century mark for the fourth time this year, and much of that was due to Alcindor’s efforts. The senior, who entered the contest with 23 three-pointers on 63.9% shooting from behind the arc, put on a show for the ages by going 12-for-16 (all three-pointers) en route to 36 points.
Alcindor’s 12 trifectas break a school record, previously set at 10 by Kevin Fay and Taylor Stoutner. He connected on all six of his tries in the first half as he entered intermission with 18 points. His second half began with his first miss, but he then rattled off three straight to pull within one of the program mark. With over 12 minutes remaining in the blowout, Alcindor tied the record and then six minutes later, he hit back-to-back bombs to finish with a new school record of 12.
As easy as perimeter shooting came to Alcindor on Saturday, so did everything else for the navy and gold, who scored 22 of the game’s first 25 points and were never threatened. The Crusaders (1-4, 0-1 Heart) did tally the next seven points, but the hosts answered with a 26-4 run to put the matchup out of reach.
Overall, WPU held a 54.2%-33.8% shooting edge and a 49-39 advantage in rebounding. Guided by Alcindor’s showing, the victors were 18-for-32 from deep for a 56.3% clip.
Three other Statesmen also reached double figures, led by Shamar Bailey-DeCoteau (Jr., Toronto, Ontario) with 12 points and a team-high nine rebounds. Q Cager (Fr., Hopkinsville, Ky.) topped the bench personnel with 11 points in addition to three steals, while Omar Sherman (Sr., Duncanville, Texas) had 10 points and a pair of blocks.
Mario Manuel (So., Des Moines, Iowa, Sports Management) just fell short of the mark with nine points, while Darius Wheeler (Sr., Jonesboro, Ga., Sports Administration) and TaJuan Johnson (Jr., Chicago, Ill.), who was returned to the court for the first time in two weeks, added eight points apiece.
Abrian Edwards (Austin, Texas) was his usual balanced self with six points, a team-high eight assists, and five rebounds. He was 4-for-4 at the free-throw line, helping William Penn to a much-improved 13-for-17 outing as a unit.
WPU committed two more turnovers than EU (13-11), but still managed to outscore the visitors 20-8 in points off mistakes.
“Marlon obviously is a pretty good shooter,” Head Coach John Henry said. “We continue to be a work in progress, but I like the direction in which we are headed.”
Next Up: William Penn travels to Marshall, Mo. next Tuesday to face Missouri Valley in Heart action at 7:30 p.m.
