The William Penn men's basketball team rallied from a late deficit to secure a thrilling 92–90 victory against Missouri Valley in Heart of America Athletic Conference action. With a balanced team effort, the Statesmen overcame challenges, with a clutch layup from Daivion Boleware sealing their win in the final seconds. Donovan Rodriguez led the team with 23 points, and Foday Sheriff emerged with 16 of his 19 points in the decisive second half, showcasing the team's depth and resilience.

By the Numbers
  • William Penn shot 45.3% from the field, while Missouri Valley shot 49.2%.
  • WPU controlled the boards, out-rebounding MVC 42–31 with a 17–10 advantage in offensive rebounds.
  • Rodriguez contributed a team-high 23 points, with Boleware and Sheriff scoring crucial points in the final minutes.
Yes, But

Despite the win, the Statesmen struggled at the free-throw line, converting only 25 of 41 attempts, and were edged out in overall field goal percentage. Missouri Valley's standout performance featured a player scoring 50 points, indicating the need for improved defensive strategies.

State of Play
  • William Penn improved to an 8–3 record (2–2 Heart) with this close victory.
  • The team displayed strong depth, with significant contributions from their bench outscoring Missouri Valley's reserves 32–10.
What's Next

William Penn will host Baker on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. for their next matchup in Heart of America play, looking to build on their momentum.

Bottom Line

Coming through in a high-pressure situation, William Penn demonstrated the importance of teamwork and clutch performances, which will be vital as they continue their season. However, addressing free-throw shooting and defensive weaknesses will be crucial in upcoming games.