WPU Loses Heart-Breaking TP Game at Buzzer

Oskaloosa--In a season where the ball has not bounced its way, the basketball gods were especially cruel Wednesday as the William Penn men's basketball team fell 77-74 to Heart of America Athletic Conference rival Grand View in the Annual Toilet Paper Game.

The Statesmen (5-17, 4-14 Heart) were outshot 45.5%-37.7%, but topped the Vikings (10-11, 7-10 Heart) in rebounding, 44-37.  The hosts posted a 13-9 edge in second-chance points, but unfortunately could not keep GVU from getting its final three points at the buzzer in a painful loss inside Penn Gymnasium.

William Penn lost the opening tip-off, but stopped its visitors on the opening possession of the night.  The crew then found success right away on offense as Marcus Bell (Sr., Shreveport, La., Exercise Science) located Jaz Farrell (Sr., Miramar, Fla., Interdisciplinary Studies) on a cut to the basket and the senior duo hooked up for a jaw-dropping alley-oop dunk that not only brought down the proverbial house, but also sent the Charmin (or more likely, a much cheaper brand) floating to the hardwood in one of the best college basketball traditions in the country.

After William Penn was issued a technical foul (GVU made the free throw), it was back to regular business in what would turn into a barnburner that featured 10 ties and 21 lead changes.

Back and forth on a few occasions in the opening stanza, the Statesmen fell behind 24-22 and stayed in the rearview until halftime.  William Penn would trail by a game-high 10 points at 45-35 before finally beginning its ascent, outscoring the Vikings 19-9 to tie the game.

In the waning minutes, with one team's score, the other managed an answer.  Farrell hit a jumper with 2:25 to go, the final of his 18 points (7-for-15 FG), but unfortunately the Statesmen, who led 74-72 at that juncture, could not get buckets in their final two trips down the court.

Conversely, the Vikings tied the game with 1:14 still on the clock and then, as aforementioned, had the ball bounce their direction several times late.  In the game's final possession, the visitors got not only, but two offensive rebounds, allowing them to hit the winning three-pointer as time expired.

Seven of WPU's eight scorers managed at least six points.  Following Farrell's game high, Jayvin Brown (So., Waldorf, Md., Wellness and Recreation) had a stat-stuffing performance, threatening a triple-double with 14 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists.  He was 8-for-8 at the free-throw line, while the hosts were an impressive 16-for-19 at the stripe overall.

Justin Bradley (Jr., Okinawa, Japan, Biology) guided the bench with 10 points, while Manny Hammonds (Fr., Des Moines, Iowa, New Media) had nine and Willie Anderson (Jr., Norristown, Pa., Applied Computer Science) finished with eight.  Bell and Jason Priah (Jr., Shaker Heights, Ohio, Information Technology) each tallied six points Wednesday.

Ontario Chapman (Sr., Evanston, Ill., Psychology) did his work on the glass with a WPU-best 10 rebounds.  The home team recorded seven blocks in a losing cause.

Unfortunately, the Statesmen could not overcome a tough outing from the perimeter, shooting just 23.1% (GVU was 36.4%).  Moreover, WPU committed just 10 turnovers (nine for Grand View), but it led to a 14-6 deficit in points off mistakes.

"Tonight was a great basketball game and an absolute classic TP Game," Head Coach John Henry said.

Next Up: William Penn remains in Oskaloosa Saturday to host Missouri Valley in Heart play at 4 p.m.