Statesmen Unable to Overcome Challenges in 97-74 Defeat to CMU

Fayette, Mo.–-The William Penn men's basketball team was unable to snap its three-game losing streak, falling 97-74 to Central Methodist in Heart of America Athletic Conference play Saturday.

The Statesmen (8-6, 5-5 Heart) opened the game on a promising note, scoring the first six points. However, the Eagles (10-7, 7-6 Heart) quickly responded with a 15-4 run to take control. Both teams traded baskets before CMU unleashed a commanding 21-4 stretch, entering halftime with a 51-32 advantage.

Jawuan Brown (Jr., Brooklyn, N.Y., Business Management) led the Statesmen with a perfect first-half field shooting performance, tallying 12 points, while Manny Hammonds (So., Des Moines, Iowa, New Media) added nine points.

The second half featured a back-and-forth battle, with neither side able to establish prolonged momentum. However, CMU capitalized late with a decisive 12-2 run in the final three minutes to seal the win.

Brown finished with a game-high 25 points and seven rebounds, while Hammonds and Jacore Williams (Jr., Little Rock, Ark., Business Management) chipped in 11 points each.

Despite their efforts, the Statesmen struggled with offensive efficiency, shooting 40.8% from the field compared to CMU's impressive 57.6%. The Eagles also dominated from beyond the arc, converting 51.9% of their three-point attempts, while WPU managed just 33.3%. At the free-throw line, CMU held the edge again, shooting 78.9% to the Statesmen's 58.3%. 

Both teams recorded 38 rebounds, but the Eagles grabbed 31 defensive boards to the Statesmen's 18. WPU managed to turn 18 offensive rebounds into 15 second-chance points but struggled to capitalize on turnovers, scoring only two points off CMU's 20 mistakes.

"We are in a tailspin, and we have to decide what we are going to do about it," said Head Coach John Henry. "We have to figure it out soon because we play six games in 14 days."

Up Next: William Penn looks to rebound at home next Monday, hosting Peru State in another Heart of America clash at 7:30 p.m. in Penn Gymnasium.