Statesmen Knock Off D-2 Truman 83-78
William Penn University Athletics
Kirksville, Mo.–The William Penn men’s basketball team remained perfect on the season by holding off NCAA Division II Truman 83-78 in non-conference action Friday.
The 19th-ranked Statesmen (5-0), who have now won two in a row in the series (also in 2003-2004) led for much of the first stanza. Unfortunately, an 8-2 run over the last 3:46 gave the Bulldogs (0-1) a 43-41 halftime edge. The first half witnessed five ties and 13 lead changes.
The final two ties and lead change came in the first few minutes after the break, but Brandon Beasley (Sr., Indianapolis, Ind., Physical Education) gave the visitors the lead for good at 51-49 with 16:21 left.
The margin was only one at the 7:25 mark, but a 12-1 run over the next 2:09 put the contest out of reach.
It is the second time in the last four years the program has started 5-0.
William Penn was outshot 44.4%-41.3% and had three more turnovers (16-13), but four more rebounds (43-39), four more three-pointers (10-6), and five more free throws (21-16) evened the proverbial score.
Taylor Stoutner (Sr., Keota, Iowa, Physical Education) topped the navy and gold with 17 points, including a 5-of-10 showing behind the arc.
Four others reached double figures, including 13 each by Keith Steffeck (Sr., Marion, Iowa, Physical Education) and Arman Rasul (Sr., Chicago, Ill., Sociology). Fresh off his 38-point performance two nights earlier, Kevin Fay (Jr., Hennepin, Ill., Education) added 11, while Beasley contributed ten. Beasley was three rebounds shy of obtaining yet another double-double.
James Devlin (Sr., Tampa, Fla., Sociology) was a factor on both ends with nine points and three steals. Blake Walker (Jr., Rose Garden, Ga., Physical Education) recorded squad highs in rebounds (13) and assists (7).
“I am so happy for our players,” Head Coach John Henry said. “They have bought in together as a group and we are playing like we are capable.”
Next: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa next Thursday to host Graceland in non-conference action at 7 p.m.
