WPU Eclipses Century Mark Against Missouri Valley

Oskaloosa--The William Penn men's basketball team dominated the glass and the paint in a 102-84 Heart of America Athletic Conference win over Missouri Valley in its last home game of the regular season Monday.

In a game rescheduled from February 4, the Statesmen (24-2, 20-0 Heart) won their 20th game in a row and continued to show why they are one of the top rebounding teams in the country, bringing in 59 total boards, including 23 on the offensive glass. The Vikings (8-18, 6-14 Heart) tried to keep pace with the victors, but only grabbed 36 of their own.  William Penn finished the outing with a 23-6 advantage in second-chance points.

WPU only made 28.0% of its three-pointers, but still managed to hit 50.0% from the field by going 33-for-55 inside the arc (60.0%).  The hosts tallied 62 points in the paint (eight dunks).

Right from the jump, a track meet ensued for most of the game. Missouri Valley jumped out to a 16-11 lead, but the Statesmen regained the lead for good after a couple layups from DJ Purnell (So., Minneapolis, Minn., Business Management) made it 18-16.

Missouri Valley knocked down 50.0% of its baskets from the field and was at 53.8% from three-point range at halftime, but WPU also made 50.0% of its shots from the field to enter the break ahead 53-46.

The Statesmen are known for their big runs to increase the lead, and that is just what they did in the second stanza against Missouri Valley.  With WPU holding onto a 62-57 advantage, Daniel Autrey (Jr., Detroit, Mich., Business Management) got a big run started, hitting four trifectas as WPU scored 16 unanswered. Conversely, hooting also for the Vikings went sour, as they made just two of their 13 three-pointers in the second half (28.1% overall).

It is the seventh time this season that William Penn has scored at least 100 points.

Muneer Newton (Fr., Philadelphia, Pa., Business Management) led the way for William Penn with 17 points on 8-for 8 shooting from the field; he also pulled down nine rebounds. Frontcourt mate Eddie Daley (Grad., DeWitt, Mich., Master's of Organizational Leadership) had 14 points and seven rebounds, while James Pennington (Sr., Calumet City, Ill., Sports Management) recorded 13 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.

Autrey scored had 14 points off the bench, while Purnell was good for 12.  Fellow bench player Daniel Rosenber (So., Burnsville, Minn., Sports Management) chipped in 11 points as well.

Malik Edwards (Fr., Drexel Hill, Pa., Business Management) added eight points, while Chanze Cruesoe (Jr., St. Louis, Mo., Business Management) was limited to just four points, but contributed in other ways with seven rebounds and six assists.  A total of 14 Statesmen hit the court Monday with 11 tallying points.

The navy and gold overcame 20 turnovers (15 for the Vikings) by actually outscoring MVC 19-15 in points off turnovers.

Next Up: The Statesmen travel to Baldwin City, Kan. Wednesday night to take on Baker in Heart play at 7:30 p.m.