Statesmen ‘Post’ Win Over Threshers
William Penn’s Antonio Levy drives to the basket on Saturday versus Bethel.
Oskaloosa–The William Penn men’s basketball team proved it will be able to win in a variety of ways this year as it defeated Bethel (Kan.) 89-80 in non-conference play Saturday.
The Statesmen (3-1) extended their winning streak to three games and did it in a way that is a bit foreign to its fan base. With Dondre Alexander (Jr., Iowa City, Iowa) unavailable for action due to disciplinary issues and the rest of the team struggling to find its outside stroke (7-for-35 3-PT), WPU got dirty in the blocks to the tune of 50 points in the paint.
With its long ball attack nowhere to be found, the offense had issues finding its way early on. An active officiating crew, which whistled both teams for numerous early fouls, did not help either.
Fortunately, down 31-24, the Statesmen snapped out of it and went on a 17-2 run to go up by eight; they never trailed again.
A 45-38 halftime edge was only increased to 10 at 62-52 with 13:46 on the clock, but 13 of the next 15 points came via the navy and gold and they put it in cruise control the rest of the way.
The Threshers did make for an uneasy coaching staff down the stretch, though, as they took an axe to a once 26-point deficit, scoring the afternoon’s final 17 points against William Penn’s reserves to make the score much closer than the contest actually was.
WPU outshot BC 41.9%-40.9%, but really made its presence felt on the boards with a crazy 61-38 advantage. A total of 26 offensive caroms led to 19 second-chance points.
Five players reached double figures and two had double-doubles. Steven Roundtree (Sr., Jacksonville, Fla.) was one of the double-double performers with 18 points and 11 rebounds off the bench, while Brady Burford (Sr., Chicago, Ill., Physical Education) tallied 11 points and 11 rebounds in his season debut.
Antonio Levy (Jr., Chicago, Ill.) hit four of his crew’s trifectas on his way to 16 points; the junior also assisted three times. Jessie Pernell (Sr., North Augusta, Ga.), with 13 points (two steals), and Charles Knowles (Jr., Chicago, Ill.), with 12, were also in double digits.
Josh Caldwell (Sr., Denver, Colo.) (8 points) and Jeff Drew (Sr., Little Rock, Ark.) (7) were offensive contributors as well. Drew matched Roundtree and Burford with 11 rebounds.
“Our post players were great today,” Head Coach John Henry said. “Our perimeter shooting was off badly, but I loved the way we played in all facets until the final five minutes of regulation. Our bench players must value playing time in that situation and take advantage of the opportunity to close out the game today.”
Next Up: William Penn concludes its five-game, season-opening homestand next Friday by hosting Bellevue (Neb.) at 6 p.m.
