Statesmen Come Up Short in Thriller Against #8 Baker

Oskaloosa--The William Penn men's basketball team battled valiantly but fell just short in a 79-76 defeat to #8 Baker on Monday in a Heart of America Athletic Conference showdown.

The opening minutes saw both teams feeling each other out, with the score tied 9-9 at the 13:16 mark. The Statesmen (9-9, 6-8 Heart) then went on a quick 10-2 run, grabbing early momentum. However, the Wildcats (18-1, 15-0 Heart) countered with steady scoring, edging out William Penn 23-16 over the remainder of the half. Despite Baker's push, the Statesmen entered halftime clinging to a narrow 35-34 advantage.

Jamir Reed (Jr., Philadelphia, Pa., Sociology with an Emphasis in Criminology) led the Statesmen with 10 points and 5 boards, while LeQuan Washington (Jr., Chicago, Ill.) contributed eight points. 

The second half turned into a nail-biter, featuring intense back-and-forth play. Baker briefly took the lead with a 6-4 run early in the period, followed by a 12-6 streak to build a 52-45 advantage. The Statesmen responded with a strong 12-4 run, reclaiming the lead at 57-56 with 8:30 remaining. Both teams traded blows in the final minutes, but Baker managed to hold a slight 23-19 scoring edge down the stretch. With less than a second on the clock, Isaac Hoberecht (Jr., Carl Junction, Mo., Business Management) had a chance to tie the game with a three-pointer but came up short, sealing the Wildcats' victory.

Reed posted an impressive double-double, finishing with 13 points and 15 rebounds. Manny Hammonds (So., Des Moines, Iowa, New Media) contributed 12 points, while Washington and Roy Jones III (Jr., Pensacola, Fla., Psychology) added 10 points apiece.

The Statesmen outshot the Wildcats, connecting on 44.8% of their field goals compared to Baker's 40%. From three-point range, William Penn was even more efficient, hitting 41.2% compared to Baker's 20%. However, free throws proved pivotal, as the Wildcats converted 73% (27-for-37) from the line, while the Statesmen managed just 56.3% (9-for-16).

Both teams grabbed 40 rebounds, but Baker capitalized on second-chance opportunities, scoring 13 points to William Penn's nine. Turnovers also played a role, with the Statesmen committing 13, leading to 10 Wildcats points, while converting Baker's 12 turnovers into just seven points.

"We played very well today; however, Baker is a really good team," said Head Coach John Henry. "That's what really good teams do, they find a way to win."

Up Next: The Statesmen continue their home stand with a Heart contest against Missouri Valley Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.