Statesmen Fall in Game Played with Heavy Hearts
Marquis Todd’s jersey was on the bench with the Statesmen as they took on Peru State.
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–Less than 24 hours after the loss of one of their own, the William Penn men’s basketball team stepped onto the hardwood and played in his memory, and while their angel was with them in their hearts and minds to lead them through a gutsy performance, the Statesmen could not claim victory in a 102-99 setback to #4 seed Peru State Friday.
Top-seeded WPU (27-4) will not play in the conference championship game for the first time in six seasons, but that was of little consequence. What mattered was that the Statesmen were able to honor their departed brother Marquis Todd, who passed away Thursday night. Just hours after his death, squad members agreed that being on the court Friday against the Bobcats was what Marquis would want, and so they laced up their sneakers and put on their uniforms, but also donned black #22 TODD shooting shirts.
William Penn, which will now wait to see its pairing for the NAIA National Championships on March 14-20 in Kansas City, Mo, played inspired ball early with the game’s first eight points. At times, it was as if the home team was playing with an extra man as the visitors committed two offensive fouls and were out of sorts. PSC (21-12) did eventually battle back to within three, but the navy and gold found their groove and claimed a 52-40 halftime edge.
Exhaustion, both physically and emotionally, set in for the Statesmen after intermission as Peru State roared all the way back with a 21-6 edge to claim its first advantage.
The Bobcat lead grew to nine, but buoyed by an incredible crowd, the Statesmen somehow returned the favor and scored 14 of 15 points to lead 91-84 with 4:10 left in regulation.
PSC did not throw in the towel, however, and claimed the edge at 99-96 in the final seconds. A turnover gave the ball back to the visitors with 15 seconds left and a chance to put it away, but Jovontae Carleton (Jr., El Cerrito, Calif., Sociology) stepped in front of an inbounds pass into the backcourt, leaped into the air, and tipped the ball to Antonio Foster (Jr., Chicago, Ill., Sports Management) who knocked down a three-pointer to knot the contest at 99-99 with nine ticks remaining.
Unfortunately, the Bobcats hit a trifecta on the other end, and WPU was unable to respond.
The shocked and distraught Statesmen then huddled at center court after the horn sounded. With all eyes and ears on him, Head Coach broke the huddle by calling out ‘Marquis on 3…1…2…3’ and the crowd joined their basketball family by yelling ‘Marquis’ in unison.
Following the game, members of Statesmen Nation shared memories, hugs, and tears at a candlelight vigil outside Penn Gymnasium. The schedule will show the game as a loss, but no one cared as they remembered #22, a vibrant young man whose infectious smile and personality warmed every room he entered.
Statistically, William Penn was outshot 59.7%-48.7%, but held the rebounding edge 40-32. The Statesmen were best at the line, going 14-for-16.
Dominique Shaw (Sr., Lufkin, Texas, Wellness and Recreation) was one of four players in double digits with a team-high 25 points, while Mikeal Donaldson (Sr., Columbia, S.C., Wellness and Recreation) and D’Angelo Allen (Jr., Dallas, Texas, Wellness and Recreation) both scored 15, and Terrell Thompson (Sr., Indianapolis, Ind., Wellness and Recreation) tallied 12 in addition to eight assists. Both Donaldson and Allen recorded two blocks as well.
Foster and Corbin Medley (Sr., Rogersville, Mo., Business Management) tallied eight points apiece, while Carleton and Aakim Saintil (Sr., West Orange, N.J., Business Management) produced six points each. JC Washington (Sr., Houston, Texas, Sociology), who is still battling an injury, started the game to commemorate Marquis and tallied two rebounds and one assists in just two minutes of action.
