William Penn Athletics News November 11
William Penn men’s basketball team won 93-77 over Graceland
Big First Half Leads Statesmen to 93-77 Defeat of Graceland
Oskaloosa–An astounding first 20 minutes was enough to make up for a mediocre second stanza as the William Penn men’s basketball team won 93-77 over Graceland in non-conference play Tuesday.
The Statesmen (4-2), who won their fourth in a row, led from the opening tip. In fact, WPU scored the game’s first 19 points and cruised to a 56-25 halftime advantage.
The hosts stymied the Yellowjackets (1-3) early on, limiting the visitors to just two points in the first 8:38. GU actually got its first opening points at the charity stripe, not managing a field goal until the 8:24 mark in the first half.
WPU outscored its foe 5-2 in the initial minute of the second period to own a game-high 34-point lead, but few other positives were found in the second half. Graceland did not stop fighting, while the Statesmen became a bit lethargic with their enormous lead. The home squad was still up by 23 at 80-57 with 7:12 remaining, but could not cruise out as the Yellowjackets pulled to within 11 in the final minute of play. The Statesmen finished with the final five points to put the proverbial icing on the cake.
“We have to stay focused and play better in the second half of games, but all wins are good wins in the end,” Head Coach John Henry said.
The latter half was so rough that William Penn actually lost the final shooting battle 40.0%-39.2%. A massive 58-40 rebounding edge helped the victors stay on top as WPU outscored GU 24-9 in second-chance points (23-10 in offensive rebounds). The Statesmen also had three fewer turnovers (16-19), leading to a 17-11 mark in points off mistakes.
Five team members reached double figures with Antione Howard (Jr., Milwaukee, Wis., Physical Education) tallying 22 points on 8-for-14 shooting. Alec Schwab (Sr., Peru, Ill., Business Management) was one of several players who had a tough go of it from the floor, going just 6-for-18 for 15 points. He was great on the boards, however, recording his second double-double of the year with 12 rebounds. Schwab also stole passes.
Shane Bosek (Jr., Lowry, Minn., Physical Education) headlined the bench effort with 13 points, while Kelly Madison (Sr., Des Moines, Iowa, Physical Education), with 12, and Erik McGee (Sr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Elementary Education), with ten, also reached double digits. Bosek and McGee were both one rebound shy of joining Schwab in the double-double club.
Sam Sykes (Jr., Houston, Texas, Business Management) posted an eight-point, three-block performance and Oliver Wells (Sr., Cedar Hill, Texas, Business Management) assisted on five baskets.
The Statesmen did not fare well behind the arc (21.2%), but had a decent outing at the line (70.6%).
Next Up: William Penn remains in Oskaloosa Friday to host Friends (Kan.) in non-conference play at 7 p.m.
Statesmen Crush Rebounding Record in Graceland Win
Oskaloosa–Senior guards Janay Pritchett (Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Biology) and Katie Golomski (Milwaukee, Wis., Psychology) both recorded double-doubles to pace the William Penn women’s basketball team to its best rebounding effort ever as WPU defeated non-conference foe Graceland 99-73 Tuesday.
Pritchett scored 21 points with 11 rebounds, while Golomski had a 20-point, 13-rebound effort to help the navy and gold in a 70-rebound performance. The 70 caroms breaks the old program record of 65, set way back on February 20, 1981 against Loras. Thirteen of the 14 Statesmen who played had at least one rebound and WPU also managed six team boards against the Yellowjackets (2-1).
A great defensive showing was the main reason for the new record as GU was limited to 29.6% from the field. The hosts, who shot 44.2%, were also productive on their own glass with 19 offensive boards that led to 14 points. William Penn was also 40.0% from the perimeter and 71.9% at the charity stripe.
The home team trailed 21-18 midway through the first half, but 12 unanswered points put WPU ahead for good. The Statesmen led 47-32 at intermission and eventually went up by as many as 32 points.
Pritchett was 7-for-13 from the field, while Golomski did most of her work at the line (8-for-8) or from deep (four three-pointers).
Kadejah Young (Jr., Minneapolis, Minn., Physical Education) also eclipsed double figures with 13 points, while Vanessa Kieres (Chicago, Ill. Physical Education) added nine. Jessie Kreuser (Sr., Mendota Heights, Minn., Undecided) contributed eight points and two steals and Alyssa Phillips (So., Gurnee, Ill., Communications) finished the evening with seven points.
Golomski and Kieres each dished out five assists. WPU overcame 17 turnovers, compared to forcing Graceland into eight errors.
“It took us a while to get going, but once we did we put a nice string together,” Head Coach Mike Brown said. “We were great on the glass; any time you can get two guards in double figures in rebounding, a lot of good things can happen.”
Next Up: William Penn remains in Oskaloosa Friday to host #13 Friends (Kan.) in non-conference play at 5 p.m.
Samek, Yang Earn October Awards
Oskaloosa–The William Penn University Athletics Booster Club has announced the recipients of October’s Player of the Month awards.
Junior football player Isaac Samek (Bolivar, Mo., Industrial Technology) won the Male award, while senior women’s golfer Maggie Yang (Chino, Calif., Business Management) took the Female honor. Samek’s award is his first, while Yang is now a three-time recipient–having won once last year and once two seasons ago.
Samek finished the month with 31 tackles (19 solos, 12 assists), including three for a loss. The team’s leading tackler, he also recorded one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one pass breakup. The junior finished with 12 tackles against Saint Xavier on October 25.
Yang guided William Penn with a stroke average of 76.3, including a school-record of 71. She also set a new 36-hole record with a 145; both records were accomplished at the William Penn Invitational. The senior was the individual champion and also helped WPU to the team title at the invite. Yang, who posted five rounds in the 70s, was named MCC Golfer of the Week once in October.
Statesmen Put Four on All-Conference Teams
Oskaloosa–Four Statesmen men’s soccer players were recognized for great play in 2014 as the all-Midwest Collegiate Conference teams were announced today.
Junior forwards Angelo Kelly (Jr., Ottumwa, Iowa, Physical Education) and Sergio Carro (Jr., London, England, Communications), senior defender Austin Ryan (Parkersburg, Iowa, Business Management), and sophomore goalkeeper Pedro Pereira (Sao Paolo, Brazil, Communications) were all named to the honorable-mention list. The foursome helped William Penn to a 7-7-4 record (2-1-3 MCC) this fall.
A total of 29 athletes were lauded by the MCC, including 14 first-teamers and 15 honorable mentions.
Kelly, now a two-time honoree, posted two goals (one game-winner) with a team-high five assists for nine points. His five assists ranked seventh in the conference.
Carro only played eight games, but was a major asset down the stretch, tallying two goals (one game-winner) with two assists.
Ryan and Pereira were strong components in a WPU defense that only allowed 24 goals (1.24 per game). William Penn managed five shutouts, including two by Pereira. The sophomore was 3-4-4 with a 1.11 Goals Against Average. He tallied 44 saves in the campaign.
The Statesmen started the year giving up just one total goal in their first four games and had ten outings with one score or less.
Carro, Ryan, and Pereira are all first-time selections.
Ross Alexander of Grand View was named MCC Player of the Year, while Newcomer of the Year honors went to his teammate Bruno Henrique. Grand View Head Coach Blair Reid received the COY award from his peers for the ninth time in his career.
For a complete list of the 2014 all-MCC teams, go to http://www.midwestcollegiateconference.com/article/1784.php
Correia, Button on First Team; Padilla, Parra Honorable Mentions
Oskaloosa–Alyce Correia (So., Perth, Australia, Elementary Education) and Kelly Button (Sr., Tucson, Ariz., Business Management) headlined a group of four William Penn women’s soccer players who garnered postseason laurels as the all-Midwest Collegiate Conference teams were announced today.
Correia and Button were named to the 14-person first team, while Jaymie Padilla (Sr., Mesa, Ariz., Physical Education) and Camila Parra (Fr., Brisbane, Australia, Biology) were two of 14 individuals to collect honorable-mention accolades. Correia is now a two-time pick, while her three teammates received their first awards.
The top-team picks are the first for the program since 2006 as are the four accolades.
The crew led the Statesmen to a 7-8-3 record (3-2-1 MCC) and their first home tournament game in nine years.
Parra paced WPU with eight goals (four game-winners) and one assist for 17 points, while Correia had three goals (one game-winner) and three assists for nine points. Parra ranked sixth in the league in goals and points and Correia was ninth in assists per game (0.17).
Padilla assisted twice, but along with Button, was a major part of a formidable defensive unit. The navy and gold recorded six shutouts and had eight games with one goal or less allowed. Button owned a 6-8-3 record with a 1.54 Goals Against Average. She had 91 saves and six shutouts and was named MCC Defensive Player of the Week three times.
Viterbo’s Molly Machometa earned the MCC Player of the Year award, while Kaylin Swart of AIB was named Newcomer of the Year. AIB Head Coach Justin Vorster was tabbed as Coach of the Year by his peers for leading the Eagles to their first conference title.
For a complete list of the 2014 all-MCC teams, go to http://www.midwestcollegiateconference.com/article/1785.php
