WPU Downed by SAU 95-85
William Penn University Athletics
Davenport–Four players had at least 18 points, but it was not enough for the Statesmen men’s basketball team in a 95-85 setback to St. Ambrose in Midwest Collegiate Conference play Saturday.
William Penn (12-9, 1-4 MCC) made only 31.4% of its first-half shots and could not play well enough in the second half to rally for the victory. Overall the visitors were outshot 44.6%-37.5%.
The navy and gold trailed 45-30 at intermission and unfortunately only cut into the deficit by five points in the second stanza. WPU pulled to within eight at the 2:51 mark, but failed to draw any closer.
Oliver Wells (Sr., Cedar Hill, Texas, Business Management) scored a game-high 23 points (12-for-14 FT) and also finished with nine assists and four steals.
Alec Schwab (Sr., Peru, Ill., Business Management) ended the afternoon with 19 points, but it was Jake Guenther (Jr., Altoona, Iowa) who was the pleasant surprise of the contest. The junior scored 18 points in his season debut, making a game-best five three-pointers and also corralling nine rebounds to lead WPU.
Shane Bosek (Jr., Lowry, Minn., Physical Education) also posted 18 points on 8-for-15 from the field. The Statesmen came up short on the rebounding edge, 49-43, but had three fewer turnovers (13-16). Unfortunately, the Bees (12-10, 3-2 MCC) outscored the visiting squad 14-9 in points off errors.
Both sides had numerous chances at the charity stripe with SAU going 26-for-35 and WPU finishing 21-for-33.
Next Up: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa Wednesday to host Clarke in MCC play at 7:30 p.m. The game will also serve as Coaches vs. Cancer Night.
