Stoutner Claims Season Record, Starters Lead Way Over Viterbo
William Penn University Athletics
La Crosse, Wis.–The Statesmen cagers kept pace in a hotly-contested Midwest Collegiate Conference with a 73-65 victory over Viterbo Wednesday.
William Penn (14-11, 9-4 MCC) remains in a tie with Ashford for second place as the team’s five starters scored every single point for the visitors. Viterbo (10-15, 5-8 MCC) nearly accomplished the same feat with all but two of its points coming from the starting five.
Shooting just 34.3% in the first stanza (43.3% for VU), the navy and gold trailed 35-32 entering halftime.
A rejuvenated William Penn squad roared out of the locker room with a 12-2 run and was never really threatened in the second stanza, leading by as much as 15 points twice.
Taylor Stoutner (Jr., Keota, Keota HS) had a record-setting night, leading the Statesmen with 20 points on 6-of-12 shooting. The junior knocked down four three-pointers in the first half (14 points at intermission), breaking the program’s single-season record with 104 trifectas. The previous mark of 101 was held by Jacob Spielbauer during the 2006-2007 season.
Arman Rasul (Jr., Chicago, Ill., Illinois-Chicago) added 18 points by going 8-of-12 from the field, while Alan Douglas (Sr., Champaign, Ill., Lakeland CC) recorded a double-double of 16 points and ten rebounds. It was his 11th double-double of the year.
Blake Walker (So., Rose Garden, Ga., Campbell HS) also reached double figures with 11 points. Both he and Douglas improved greatly in the second stanza as they each struggled to just three points prior to halftime. Walked also had a team-best four assists, while Douglas matched Stoutner with three steals. Stoutner had both of his team’s two blocks as well.
Keith Steffeck (Jr., Marion, Marion HS) contributed eight points in the win.
A 39-32 rebounding edge (15-7 second-chance points) helped the Statesmen overcome a cold perimeter night (6-of-21). Both teams committed 15 turnovers.
Next: The Statesmen host Iowa Wesleyan Saturday in MCC play at 3 p.m.
