WPU’s Strong Second Half Enough for Win Over C-SC
JC Washington goes over Culver-Stockton defenders on Saturday.
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–The Statesmen men’s basketball team is winning, but not in the prettiest of ways lately, including taking down Culver-Stockton 101-79 in Heart of America Athletic Conference action Saturday.
#3 WPU (16-1, 6-1 Heart) won its fifth game in a row, but needed 64 second-half points to do so. It is the 11th time this winter that the nation’s highest-scoring squad has eclipsed the century mark.
The hosts torched the Wildcats (4-14, 1-6 Heart) early, scoring the game’s first 15 points just 3:44 into the night, but C-SC dusted itself off, got back to its proverbial feet, and starting delivering blows of its own. The visitors pulled out to a five-point lead near the end of the first half and went into the break ahead 38-37.
Fortunately, the navy and gold came out the locker room with the same heat in which they started the game, tallying 11 of the first 13 points. Four straight by Culver-Stockton made it seem like WPU was in for another 20-minute dogfight, though, but an 8-0 run a couple minutes later put the margin over double digits and it stayed there the rest of the matchup.
William Penn shot 53.1% after halftime and finished with a 44.4%-39.7% shooting edge. The Statesmen were outrebounded 54-51 and outscored 22-19 in second-chance points, but a +14 turnover margin (9-23 in favor of WPU) played a huge role in the team turning back the upset bid. WPU outscored C-SC 16-6 in points off turnovers.
It was undoubtedly not the easiest 24 points he has ever recorded, but Terrell Thompson (Sr., Indianapolis, Ind., Wellness and Recreation), who was 9-for-21 shooting (1-for-5 3-PT), kept pushing and managed to lead all players in scoring.
Dominique Shaw (Sr., Lufkin, Texas, Wellness and Recreation) was also over the 20-point plateau with 20 points, including knocking down four trifectas. The senior was just 2-for-5 at the free-throw line, however, as the Statesmen found it difficult to cash in at the stripe (52.4%).
Aakim Saintil (Sr., West Orange, N.J., Business Management) and JC Washington (Sr., Houston, Texas, Sociology) each added 13 points, while Jovontae Carleton (Jr., El Cerrito, Calif., Sociology) produced 11 points to guide the bench personnel.
Mikeal Donaldson (Sr., Columbia, S.C.) recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. He matched Shaw with two blocks, while Shaw also contributed four assists. Washington and Thompson each managed a pair of steals.
Darius Wheeler (Jr., Jonesboro, Ga., Physical Education) was another nice spark off the bench with five points.
“All wins are good, especially in conference play, but we definitely need to start playing better than we have the past couple of games,” Head Coach John Henry said.
Next Up: William Penn travels to Dubuque next Wednesday to face Clarke in Heart action at 7:30 p.m.
