Stoutner Demolishes Records in Win Over #25 Mount Mercy

Taylor Stoutner attempts another 3 point shot setting a new school record for Penn in the process

Oskaloosa–On the shoulders of the most ridiculous and impressive perimeter performance in school history, the William Penn men’s basketball team remained in second place with a 91-85 Midwest Collegiate Conference win over #25 Mount Mercy Saturday.

Taylor Stoutner (Jr., Keota, Keota HS) scored a career-high 32 points on 10-of-22 shooting (all three-pointers, 2-2 FT) to help William Penn (13-11, 8-4 MCC) stay tied with Ashford for second in the league, two games back of St. Ambrose.

The sharp shooter’s showing blows up the record books and is beyond legendary. He not only broke the school record for three-pointers made in a game with ten (old record is eight, three different performances), but he also snapped the mark for single-game attempts (22) of 15 (done twice).

In the process, Stoutner became the single-season record-holder for three-point attempts (268) (old mark was 250 by Jacob Spielbauer in 2006-2007) and is now just one behind Spielbauer for single-season made shots with 100 (Spielbauer hit 101 in 2006-2007).

In what has basically become customary for Statesmen home basketball games, craziness ensued on the hardwood Saturday. The last time it was in Penn Gymnasium, the navy and gold went to triple overtime against Ashford, so Saturday’s matchup had its work cut out for it. It did not disappoint.

The Statesmen looked like they were facing a junior high team in the early going, blowing out to an 18-1 lead just 4:55 into the afternoon. The lead would not last, however, with the Mustangs (16-7, 7-5 MCC) going on a 22-6 run of their own to pull within one at 24-23. The visitors eventually led 34-32 at halftime.

The score seesawed in the beginning minutes of the second stanza before William Penn scored 11 in a row to lead 64-54 with 8:18 remaining. The lead stayed with the Statesmen and again ballooned to ten once more at 85-75 with 2:11 left.

Mount Mercy, seeking a season sweep of the navy and gold (79-78 in December), did not shutter and incredibly rallied to tie the game at 85 with 44 ticks left.

Blake Walker (So., Rose Garden, Campbell HS) was then fouled on the offensive end and hit one of two free throws with 17 seconds left, leaving the door open for the Mustangs to claim victory.

Armal Rasul (Jr., Chicago, Ill., Illinois-Chicago), who scored just seven points, would not let his team fail late in coming up with the game’s biggest play. He stepped in front of Markus Cocroft’s pass and headed the other direction for the go-ahead bucket.

Troy Peter prevented his progress, though, by wrapping him up and was whistled for an intentional foul, giving Rasul two free throws and William Penn the ball following the shots–basically a death sentence for the Mustangs.

Rasul made just one of his first two tries to make it 87-75 with ten seconds left, but was again fouled when the home team re-entered the ball into play.

This time around, the junior canned both attempts, doubling the advantage to four at 89-85.

Mount Mercy missed an inconsequential three-pointer on its final possession to lock it up. Stoutner concluded the afternoon by making two free throws, his lone points from inside the arc Saturday.

Guided by Stoutner, the navy and gold held a 12-5 margin in three-point baskets. William Penn narrowly outshot the visitors 44.4%-43.8% and also went 23-of-35 at the line (16-of-26 for MMU).

In contrast to his teammate, Keith Steffeck (Jr., Marion, Marion HS) scored from all over the floor with a double-double of 22 points (6-of-8 FG, 2-of-3 3-PT, 8-of-11 FT) and 11 rebounds. It is his second such performance of the year.

Walker matched him with his sixth double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds. He was just one assist shy of the second triple-double of his sophomore season.

Alan Douglas (Sr., Champaign, Ill., Lakeland CC) contributed 13 points as well.

The Statesmen held a 46-41 edge on the glass, but Mount Mercy countered with a 17-9 nod in second-chance points.

The hosts nearly sunk themselves by committing 25 turnovers, the most since November 26 against Grinnell (29). The Mustangs, who had 19 mistakes, owned a 33-23 margin in points off turnovers.

Next: The Statesmen travel to La Crosse, Wis. Wednesday to face Viterbo in MCC action at 7:30 p.m.