WPU Dominates Graceland in Historic Fashion, 92-47
Brady Burford’s dunk was part of a 14-point night
Oskaloosa–The Statesmen men’s basketball team played its most complete game of the season in a 92-47 thrashing of Graceland in Heart of America Athletic Conference action Wednesday.
The matchup featured two of the top squads in the Heart, but William Penn (17-2, 10-1 Heart) turned it into what is believed to be the most-lopsided league victory in program history by outshooting the Yellowjackets 50.7%-30.6%.
The hosts blew out to an 18-3 advantage and were never threatened as they tied their season low for points allowed; it is also the fewest points allowed by the program in a conference game since Grand View was held to 46 in a 51-46 win on January 9, 2008.
The navy and gold led 51-23 at intermission courtesy of 61.8% shooting (53.3% 3-PT) and cruised in the second half as the visitors hit only 25.9% of their shots. The Statesmen connected on 15 of their 36 trifectas, while GU (12-7, 7-4 Heart) was slowed to 3-for-23 from deep.
As one would expect in a game like this, William Penn also held a 45-31 edge in rebounding (15-7 second-chance) and committed six fewer turnovers (12-18; 20-9 in points off turnovers).
Jarvis Haywood (Jr., Charlotte, N.C., Business Management) started white-hot and finished with a team-high 19 points, including making five three-pointers.
Steven Roundtree (Sr., Jacksonville, Fla., Physical Education), with 16 points, and Brady Burford (Sr., Chicago, Ill., Physical Education), with 14, joined Haywood in double figures, while Jake Guenther (Sr., Altoona, Iowa, Secondary Education) just missed the group with nine points. Roundtree was also William Penn’s top rebounder with eight.
Jessie Pernell (Sr., North Augusta, S.C., Physical Education) posted eight points in addition to three steals, while Shane Bosek (Sr., Lowry, Minn., Physical Education) (7) and Davion Scott (Sr., St. Louis, Mo., Secondary Education) (6) were productive on the offensive end as well.
Dondre Alexander (Jr., Iowa City, Iowa, Physical Education) had an off night from the floor with just three points, but made up for it in distribution (six assists); WPU had an assist on 28 of its 36 baskets. Nick Jeffries (So., Altoona, Iowa, Exercise Science) blocked two shots on the defensive end.
Next Up: William Penn travels to Kansas City, Mo. Saturday to face Avila in Heart action at 4 p.m.
