Oskaloosa–Charles Knowles (Sr., Chicago, Ill., Physical Education) singed the nylon from deep Saturday as he helped the William Penn men’s basketball team top Evangel 100-71 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play.
The third-ranked Statesmen (10-1, 6-1 Heart) cruised to the win by outshooting the Crusaders 50.0%-41.4%, including a 46.4% mark from behind the arc. The hosts were equally impressive from the line, going 23-for-27 for an 85.2% clip.
William Penn, which has now won a season-high six in a row, allowed Evangel (1-7, 1-6 Heart) to post the first two points of the night, but it was all WPU from there. The victors led 47-29 at the half and were never threatened in the second period. Paced by a career-high 27 points from Knowles, the navy and gold remain at the top of the league standings.
Knowles finished 8-for-10 from the field, headlined by knocking down seven of his nine three-pointers. The senior was also a perfect 4-for-4 at the charity stripe.
Lionel Ellison (Sr., New Orleans, La., Kinesiology) missed a double-double by just one assist, finishing with 16 points and nine ‘dimes’, while double-double machine Torren Jones (Sr., Chandler, Ariz., Sociology) did not fall short of that feat with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Brandon Trotter (Jr., Louisville, Ky., Kinesiology) was next on the scoring list with nine points, while Corbin Medley (Jr., Rogersville, Mo., General Accounting) and Rufus Williams (Sr., Tuscaloosa, Ala., Physical Education) each accounted for seven points. Nick Jeffries (Jr., Altoona, Iowa, Exercise Science) ended the win with five points.
William Penn crushed Evangel on the boards, 41-24, and was also four better in the turnover column, 13-17, as Jones recorded a pair of thefts.
“This was a great team win for us as everyone got to play and contribute,” Associate Head Coach Blake Sandquist said. “Chuck (Charles Knowles) was exceptional with his three-point shooting and Lionel was fantastic on both ends, including holding their best player scoreless.”
Next Up: William Penn closes out its pre-holiday break slate next Saturday by traveling to Canton, Mo. to face Culver-Stockton in Heart play at 4 p.m.
Story provided by Wade Steinlage
