Statesmen Win Big Four Tourney Title
William Penn University Athletics
Chicago, Ill.–The Penn men’s basketball team concluded its trip to the Windy City with two more wins to claim the Moody Bible Big Four Tournament crown.
Penn (6-2) defeated Spalding (Ky.) 86-82 Friday before holding off Fontbonne (Mo.) 76-71 Saturday in the championship game.
Alan Douglas (Jr., Champaign, Ill., Lakeland CC) had a big game against Spalding, leading the team with a season-high 28 points on 10-of-14 shooting (8-of-11 FT as well).
The Statesmen led 56-46 at the break on 67.7% shooting, but cooled off considerably in the second half (33.3%). Penn still outperformed the Golden Eagles 52.7%-47.% from the field.
Huzie Hambrite (Jr., Indianapolis, Ind., Ball State) scored 17 points, while Blake Walker (Fr., Smyrna, Ga., Campbell HS) added 14 in the victory. Hambrite tied for a game high with three assists.
Deon Bergeron (Sr., Lake Charles, La., Grand Lake HS) and Ryan Wilson (Sr., Ballwin, Mo., Missouri-Kansas City) both finished with seven points and Wiebe Goodyk (So., Oskaloosa, Iowa Central CC) contributed six points.
Led by nine boards from Wilson, Penn held a 41-35 edge in rebounds. Both teams managed the ball well, combining for just 20 turnovers (eight for Penn).
It was much of the same the following night as the Statesmen went wire-to-wire, again pulling out to a big lead (31-15 at one point) and holding on to claim the tourney trophy.
Douglas, who was named Tournament MVP, paced Penn with 20 points, again earning eight of those points from the charity stripe.
Wilson put up 17, while Hambrite, another member of the all-tourney team, scored 13 points. Walker ended his night in double figures as well with 11.
Wilson just missed a double-double, pulling down eight rebounds as his squad owned a minimal 44-42 margin on the glass.
Adam Hodge (Jr., South Elgin, Ill., Rock Valley CC) dished out a game-high three assists, while Douglas and Walker both recorded four steals.
Penn was actually outshot 43.1%-42.2%, but converted 19-of-27 free throws (Griffins just 13-of-24) and forced 23 turnovers (had just 14 themselves), which were converted into a 17-10 advantage.
Next: Penn travels to Sioux Center Tuesday to face Dordt in non-conference play at 7 p.m.
Wade Steinlage
