Second Half Surge Leads William Penn Past Mustangs

OSKALOOSA, Iowa - A second half surge was enough to propel the Statesmen of William Penn past Mount Mercy in the Heart of America opener, 70-52. 

Ahmad Ingram caught fire in the first half, leading the Mustangs in scoring with 10 points in the opening 20 minutes as the Mustangs had a lead as large as nine in the first half. Jamir Reed would lead the Statesmen charge back, as he would also score 10 in the opening frame as WPU was able to claw back, eventually taking a lead in the first half before a late half bucket from Aidan Yamilkoski tied the game heading into the half.

Thanks to balanced scoring from nearly everyone in the lineup in the final 20 minutes, the Statesmen were able to capitalize, shooting 17-30 in the second frame, ultimately scoring 38 points in the half. After scoring 32 in the first half, the Mustangs would only shoot 25% in the second half while making just one three over the final 20 minutes.

Ahmad Ingram led all scorers with 19 points on 8-16 shooting, while also contributing a team high three assists. Cameron Williams finished second on the team in points with eight, nailing a couple of threes in the loss. Despite only scoring six points in the game, Jaxson Fried contributed another double digit rebounding effort with 10, including nine on the defensive end.

Three Statesmen would score in double figures, led by Jamir Reed with 16. Reed would also have a monster game on the boards, adding 15 rebounds, including 13 on the defensive end. Roy Jones III and Manny Hammonds would join Reed in double figures, each with 10 points on nearly identical shooting numbers, as Jones would shoot 4-9 while Hammonds was at an even 50% at 4-8.

The Mustangs will return home on Saturday, tipping off the home opener in conference play with a matchup against Park, slated to begin at 2 p.m.