Statesmen Fall in Tough Road Test to MNU
Olathe, Kan.—William Penn headed south to take on MidAmerica Nazarene in its first Heart of America Athletic Conference road test.
It was a thrilling, classic showdown between the two squad but unfortunately the #4 ranked Statesmen (6-1, 1-1 Heart) fell short to the Pioneers (3-2, 1-1 Heart) by the score of 99-94.
The game featured seven ties and 10 lead changes.
Despite outshooting the Pioneers .506-.486 overall, WPU was outshot from beyond the arc .367-.310. MNU shot 29 free-throws converting 20 of them while William Penn was able to get line just nine times, finishing 5-9.
Four Statesmen finished with double-figure scoring totals led by Malyk Thomas (Jr., Copperas Cove, Texas, Sports Management) with 16, including a personal 10-2 run in the second half that gave them the lead at the 12:45 mark. Eddie Daley (Jr., DeWitt, Mich., Business Management) provided a spark off the bench with 14 points and eight boards while Dexter Hood (Sr., Tuscaloosa, Ala.) narrowly missed a double-double collecting 13 points and nine rebounds.
Chanze Cruesoe (Fr., St. Louis, Mo., Business Management) stuffed the stat sheet as the freshman scored nine points to go along with eight assists, three rebounds and three steals.
William Penn won the rebounding battle 43-38 but lost the turnover battle 15-10 in which MNU was able to turn the 15 WPU turnovers int0 25 points.
Next Up: The Statesmen will take on Missouri Valley on Saturday in Marshall, Mo. with tip-off slated for 7:30 pm.
