Statesmen Remains Unbeaten with 110-62 Win Over Graceland
William Penn University Athletics
Oskaloosa–The William Penn men’s basketball has roared out to its best start since joining the NAIA after powering past Graceland 110-62 in non-conference action Thursday.
Seven players reached double figures as William Penn hit the 6-0 mark for the first time since its transition to the NAIA in 2001-2002. It is unknown at this time if it is the best start in school history (information coming soon).
The Yellowjackets (3-2) scored the evening’s first five points and still held a lead at 10-9 just 3:08 into the game. The rest of the night was owned by the home team, though, including an incredible 28-3 run that put the Statesmen ahead 37-13 with 8:52 still left until halftime.
Courtesy of a 55.0%-30.3% shooting edge, William Penn was ahead 55-25 at intermission. The #19 team in NAIA Division II (Graceland is NAIA Division I) never let off the gas in the second stanza, leading by as much as 49 points late.
The Statesmen entered the evening averaging 100.0 points per game, and by outshooting Graceland 58.0%-34.7%, they easily surpassed their average. It was a successful effort inside (42 points in the paint) and out (17 three-pointers, 47.2%), highlighted by 21 points from Brandon Beasley (Sr., Indianapolis, Ind., Physical Education).
The senior also tied Kevin Fay (Jr., Hennepin, Ill., Education) for the team lead in rebounds with eight and guided all players with three steals. The navy and gold controlled the glass with a 47-36 edge.
Taylor Stoutner (Sr., Keota, Iowa, Physical Education) was next with 17 points off the bench, including a squad-high five trifectas, while Keith Steffeck (Sr., Marion, Iowa, Physical Education) hit four three’s en route to 15 points. Seven different players hit a shot from beyond the arc.
Arman Rasul (Sr., Chicago, Ill., Sociology) contributed 13 points and Fay posted 11. Ross Howe (Jr., State Center, Iowa, Undecided) also joined the double-digit club with ten points, while James Devlin (Sr., Tampa, Fla., Sociology) only missed it by one with nine points. Devlin dished out seven assists as well, and Lamonte Jenkins (Fr., Lake Charles, La., Business Management) finished with six points and two blocks.
Although William Penn only committed three fewer turnovers than the Yellowjackets (15-18), they turned the visitors’ mistakes into 33 points.
Next: William Penn travels to Chicago, Ill. to compete in the Moody Bible Tournament. On Friday, the Statesmen meet Marian (Wis.) at 5 p.m. Depending on the result, the team will play at either noon (consolation) or 2 p.m. (championship) on Saturday.
