(Peru, Neb.) – Even though the Peru State men's basketball team had a comeback in the second half, the Mount Mercy Mustangs were able to fend off the Bobcats for an 89-85 win in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Saturday.
 
The win for the Mustangs gives them an outside chance of still making the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) postseason tournament. Mount Mercy improved to 14-14 overall and 9-13 in the Heart. Peru State fell to 15-13 on the season and 14-8 in conference play. The loss dropped the 'Cats into a tie for third place with Benedictine (Kan.) in the league with two games remaining.
 
First Half Action
 
Henry Tanksley (Lincoln) hit a bucket with just 17 seconds off the clock to start the scoring in the game. Devon Colley (Las Vegas) made one of two free throws to put Peru State up 3-0, but the Mustangs tied it with a trey at the 18:24 mark. Colley put the Bobcats in the lead again with a bucket at the 18-minute mark.

Tanksley, Henry
Henry Tanksley


 
Later, after the game was tied at 7 with 15:59 remaining, Tanksley and Nick Brannon (Las Vegas) each hit a bucket to give the 'Cats their largest lead of the game at 11-7. But, the Mustangs would bounce back and eventually go up by three at 18-15 with just over ten minutes to go in the first half.

Tanksley would tie it with a trey only to see Mount Mercy regain the lead. The Mustangs would retain the lead until 3:53 left in the half when Tanksley hit a bucket to tie it at 30. Again, Mount Mercy would jump out in front and eventually led 43-36 at halftime.
 
Second Half Action
 
Mount Mercy would hold the lead through the early part of the second half. The Mustangs would extend their lead to double digits at 56-46 with 18:41 to go in the game. Brannon pulled the 'Cats back within eight on an assist from Colley.
 
Later, the Mustangs would have their largest lead of the contest at 62-49 before the Bobcats would start a major comeback. Tanksley started the run with a bucket and then Isaac Simpson (Papillion) hit a trey off on assist from Colley to make it 62-54. Deonte McReynolds (Chicago) followed with a trey off an assist from Colley and then O'Nandi Brooks (Brooklyn, N.Y.) hit a bucket to pull Peru State within three at 62-59. Tanksley would make one of two free throws and then Brannon would tie the game with a bucket in the paint with 11:30 left in the contest.
 
Back-to-back treys by the Mustangs would put Mount Mercy in the lead for good as they held Peru State at bay every time the Bobcats would get close to tying it up. With 5:46 remaining, the 'Cats were within two at 76-74, but Mount Mercy would score five straight to push it back to a seven-point lead at 81-74.
 
The 'Cats did have chances after trailing by three at 88-85 after McReynolds made one of two free throws. Several Bobcat attempts failed and Mount Mercy would made one of two free throws at the end to make it a two-possession contest with seven seconds left.

MOUNT MERCY GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Both teams shot the ball well from the floor, but both struggled some at the free throw line. Mount Mercy made 29 of 57 field goals for 50.9% which included making 12 of 27 from behind the arc for 44.4%. At the free throw line, the Mustangs hit 19 of 30 for 63.3%. Peru State connected on 32 of 64 field goal tries for 50% and were 9 of 24 from long range for 37.5%. At the charity stripe, the 'Cat struggled hitting just 12 of 23 for 52.2%.
 
The Bobcats did have a big rebounding advantage as they grabbed 45 boards compared to 28 for the Mustangs. Mount Mercy dished out 15 assists while the 'Cat finished with nine. 

Colley, Devon
Devon Colley

 
Peru State committed 14 turnovers with the Mustangs only having eight miscues. Both teams blocked two shots. The Bobcats grabbed four steals – two more than Mount Mercy.
 
Peru Individual Statistics
 
Three Bobcats finished in double figures as they were led by Tanksley who had 26 points. Colley added 20 and Brannon contributed 15.
 
Brannon almost had a double-double as he finished with nine boards with Tanksley grabbed eight. Brooks added seven boards.
 
Colley dished out seven assists with Brannon handing out the other two.
 
Brannon and Noah Vasa (Nebraska City) each were credited with one block.
 
McReynolds led the team with two steals.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
Peru State has two remaining regular-season contests with the first coming Wednesday night at home. Graceland (Iowa) will be the opponent with the game starting at approximately 7:30 p.m. The Yellowjackets are 9-20 overall and 6-17 in the Heart.
 
Before the men's game Wednesday night, Peru State's corporate sponsors will be recognized as will the Bobcat senior cheerleaders.
 
On Saturday, William Penn (Iowa) will be the foe in the Al Wheeler Activity Center at 4 p.m. The Statesmen are presently ranked seventh in the NAIA DI coaches' poll and are riding a six-game winning streak. William Penn is 24-3 on the year and 18-3 in the conference.
 
The 'Cats will be looking to try to move into the third seed by the end of the week but will need some help as they are tied with the Ravens of Benedictine. Presently, the Bobcats would be hosting at least one round of the postseason tournament if they remain in the same spot in the conference standings. The tournament begins on Thursday, March 5.