(Peru, Neb.) – The contest was much closer than the final score would indicate in Peru State's 79-64 win over the visiting MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) (MNU) Pioneer men's basketball team.
 
The game was tied Monday night at 61 apiece with 7:31 to go in the contest. The Bobcats would outscore MNU 18-3 the rest of the way for the 15-point win.
 
Peru State, who was receiving votes in the most recent NAIA DI men's basketball coaches' poll, improved to 4-4 on the season. More importantly, that Bobcats are now 3-1 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart).
 
MidAmerica Nazarene is also 4-4 on the year, but fell to 2-2 in the early portion of conference action.

First Half Action
 
Isaac Simpson (Papillion) started the scoring for the Bobcats with a bucket in the paint with just 18 ticks off the clock. After a three-point shot was made by the Pioneers, Devon Colley (Las Vegas) countered with a three-pointer off an assist from Kendrick Robinson (Chicago) to regain the lead for Peru State.
 
Later, after the game was tied at 10, Colley would hit another trey, this time coming off an assist from Simpson, to start a little run by the Bobcats.
 
Eventually, Peru State would build their lead to double digits at 11 at 24-13 after Nick Brannon (Las Vegas) hit a bucket in the paint off an assist from Colley.
 
However, the Pioneers would not quit as they went on a 13-2 run to tie it at 26-26 with 5:39 to go in the first half. MNU would add two more points at the free throw line to take a 28-26 lead.
 
Robinson would complete an old-fashioned three-point play to put the 'Cats back in the lead at 29-28. Brannon would extend the lead with a bucket off an assist from Henry Tanksley (Lincoln).
 
The Pioneers would tie it up with a trey and later the game was tied again at 36-36 with 2:25 left in the half.
 
MidAmerica Nazarene would score the next five points before Simpson finished the scoring in the first 20 minutes with a bucket in the paint off an assist from Nate Townsen Jr. (Richton Park, Ill.).
 
The Pioneers took a three-point lead into the halftime break at 41-38.
 
Second Half Action
 
Colley started the second half with a trey on an assist from Robinson to tie the game at 41-41 at the 18:20 mark.
 
The Pioneers would counter with a bucket and then would hold onto the lead for the next seven minutes.
 
A bucket by Tanksley, off an assist from Brannon on a fast break, would put the Bobcats in the lead at 52-51 with 11:50 left in the game.
 
Peru State would never trail from that point on; however, MNU would later tie it at 61-61 with 7:31 to go.
 
A pair of free throws by Robinson broke the tie just ten seconds later.
 
The 'Cats would extend their lead to ten at 73-63 on a trey by Simpson off an assist from Townsen Jr.
 
The Bobcats would have their largest lead of the game come with 54 seconds left when Robinson threw down a dunk to make it 79-63.

MIDAMERICA NAZARENE GAME BOOK

Team Statistics
 
Peru State made 28 of 62 field goals for 45.2%, but struggled from behind the arc as they made only 6 of 27 for 22.2%. At the free throw line, the 'Cats went 17 of 22 for 77.3%. MNU connected on 21 of 59 field goals for 35.6% and shot almost as well from long range as they made 10 of 29 for 34.5%. At the charity stripe, the Pioneers went 12 of 16 for 75%.
 
The rebounding was nearly even as the Bobcats edged the Pioneers 36-35. It was the same way in assists as Peru State had one more assist as they finished with 20.
 
The 'Cats finished with 15 turnovers while MidAmerica Nazarene committed 20 errors. The Bobcats blocked four shots compared to just one for the Pioneers. The biggest difference in the team stat line was that Peru State nabbed 11 steals compared to just four for MNU.
 
Peru Individual Statistics
 
Four Bobcat starters finished in double figures. Simpson led the way with 18 points on 7 of 12 shooting. Robinson added 17 points with 13 of those coming from the free throw line. Tanksley and Colley added 15 and 12 respectively. Brannon and Noah Vasa (Nebraska City) each contributed eight points. 

Robinson tied for game-high honors in rebounding as he grabbed 11 boards to complete a double-double. Colley added eight rebounds.
 
Robinson and Townsen Jr. shared game-high honors as they dished out five assists each. Colley handed out four assists while Simpson and Brannon each had two assists.
 
Colley, Tanksley, Brannon, and Vasa were each credited with one blocked shot.
 
Colley led the team with five steals while Robinson grabbed three.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
The Bobcats will head south to Baldwin City, Kan., for a battle of the 'Cats Thursday night. Peru State will face Baker at 7:30 p.m. The Wildcats are 4-6 on the season and are 2-3 in the Heart. They have lost their last two conference contests.
 
On Saturday, Peru State will be hosting Clarke (Iowa) at 2 p.m. The Pride are 4-5 overall and are 2-3 in conference action having split its last two Heart contests.
 
For Saturday's basketball games, if those planning on attending bring a toy, they will receive free admission. In addition, the Fantastic Flyers of Glenwood, Iowa, will be performing at halftime of each contest. Also, between games, the athletic department will recognize two Bobcat senior cross country runners.

Peru State Pushes #14 MidAmerica Nazarene

(Peru, Neb.) – The visiting team, 14th-ranked in the NAIA DII women's basketball coaches' poll, felt the heat Monday night, despite the chill outside.
 
The MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) (MNU) Pioneers were pushed the entire contest before pulling away for a 76-65 win Monday night over the Peru State Bobcats.
 
With the win, the Pioneers improved to 5-2 on the season and are still perfect in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) at 4-0. The Bobcats fell to 2-5 on the year and are 1-3 in conference play.
 
First Quarter Action
 
MNU scored the first points of the game off a Bobcat turnover before Giovanna Silva (Brazilia, Brazil) got the 'Cats on the board with a bucket at the 9:10 mark. A trey by the Pioneers was followed by a Claire Cudney (Marysville, Kan.) bucket in the paint off an assist from Silva. Another bucket by Cudney – this time on an assist from Maddy McPhillips (Omaha) gave Peru State its first lead of the game at 6-5 at the 6:54 mark.

The Pioneers would regain the lead with a bucket before Dayna Dewitt (Mansfield, Texas) made a pair of free throws. Dewitt would follow with another bucket off an assist from Keaundra Washington (Omaha) to give the 'Cats a three-point lead at 10-7 with 3:28 left in the quarter.
 
Peru State would maintain the lead and actually extended it to four with 1:21 on the clock when Allison Tichy (Bellevue) hit a trey on an assist from Alyssa Marsh-Contreras (Bellevue). After the score was 17-13, the Pioneers finished the quarter with five points to lead 18-17 at the end of ten minutes.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
After the Pioneers started the quarter with a pair of free throws, McPhillips hit a trey off an assist from Marsh-Contreras to knot the game at 20-20 with 8:53 left in the first half.
 
When MNU hit a three-pointer to regain the lead, it was a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the contest.
 
With 4:30 left in the second quarter, Peru State was back within one at 29-28 after Marsh-Contreras made a pair of free throws.
 
The Bobcats did keep the lead within single digits as the Pioneers had a 41-34 advantage at halftime.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Marsh-Contreras scored the first points before the Pioneers went on a 6-0 run to have their first double-digit lead of the game at 47-36 at the 6:40 mark.
 
Late in the quarter, back-to-back buckets by Cudney would pull the 'Cats within seven at 52-45 before MNU would lead 56-47 at the end of the stanza.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
Dewitt started the fourth period with a bucket only to see MNU score nine-straight points giving the Pioneers a comfortable lead for the remainder of the contest.
 
With 5:25 to go, a hoop by Reagan Kirkwood pulled the 'Cats within 11 which is as close as they would come until the final buzzer.

MIDAMERICA NAZARENE GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Both teams shot the ball decently from the floor. MNU made 25 of 54 field goals for 46.3%, but were aided by making 8 of 19 from long range for 42.1%. The Pioneers were hot from the free throw line hitting 18 of 21 for 85.7%. Peru State connected on 24 of 57 field tries for 42.1%, but struggled from long range making 5 of 19 for 26.3%. The Bobcats also struggled at the charity stripe making just 12 of 21 for 57.1%.
 
The much taller Pioneers only had a four-board edge in rebounds as they grabbed 33 compared to 29 for the 'Cats. MNU had 11 assists compared to ten for the Bobcats.
 
The turnovers were pretty even with Peru State having one more than MNU as they finished with 16. The Bobcats blocked two shots – one more than the Pioneers. MidAmerica Nazarene grabbed eight steals while the 'Cats nabbed six.

Peru Individual Statistics
 
Peru State had three players in double figures and were led by Cudney's 17 points on seven of eight shooting from the floor. Marsh-Contreras added 11 and Dewitt contributed ten.
 
Cudney also led the Bobcat rebounding efforts as she grabbed seven with Silva adding five.
 
Marsh-Contreras dished out four assists with Washington handing out two.
 
Dewitt and Daspin Bruning (Everest, Kan.) were each credited with one block.
 
Cudney led the team with two steals while four others each were credited with one steal.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
The Bobcats will be on the road Thursday night when they travel to Baldwin City, Kan., to face Baker at 5:30 p.m. The Wildcats are 4-4 on the season and are 1-4 in Heart play having lost their last four games.
 
On Saturday, Peru State will host #19 Clarke (Iowa) in a game beginning at noon. The Pride are 7-2 on the year and are 3-2 in the Heart having lost Monday night to #25 William Penn (Iowa).
 
For Saturday's game, it will be the toy drive game for Peru State. Those bringing a new toy will be allowed in free. In addition, the Fantastic Flyers will perform at halftime of each contest. Between games, the athletic department will recognize its two senior cross country runners.

Fantastic Flyers to Perform Saturday at Peru State Basketball Games

(Peru, Neb.) – The Fantastic Flyers, an acrobatic power tumbling team from Gary's Tumbling in Glenwood, Iowa, will perform at Peru State this coming Saturday.
 
The unique power organization is quite different from today's power tumbling organization. They specialize in developing individuals to tumble without the help of a spring floor or tumble track. Gary's Tumbling is considered "old school tumbling" which relies on the use of a performer's strength on high-quality tumbling mats.

The Flyers will perform at halftime of both of the Bobcat basketball games against Clarke. The women's game begins at noon with the men's game to follow at approximately 2 p.m.
 
The group has been performing at Peru State for the past six years.
 
Saturday's contest is also Peru State's toy collection game. Those in attendance bringing a toy will be admitted free to the games.
 
In addition, between the contests, the two Peru State cross country seniors – Jacey Sutton (Wahoo) and Julia Zurek (Louisville) will be recognized.