The game came down to the free-throw line and the visiting MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) won the battle and the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) opener over Peru State College (PSC).
The Pioneers defeated the 'Cats 75-72 on Thursday night having made 27 of 36 free throws while PSC made 20 of 24.
With the win, MNU improved to 8-2 overall and 1-0 in the HAAC while snapping Peru State's three-game winning streak. The 'Cats fell to 5-4 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
The Pioneers went on a 10-3 run making it 14-7 before
Kody Kirkpatrick (Loami, Ill.) hit a trey on the assist from
Taylor Christensen (Phoenix, Ariz.) to cut it to 14-10. Later, Christensen grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back in cutting it to 14-12. Williams followed with one of two free throws to get the 'Cats within one at 14-13 with slightly more than 11 minutes left in the half.
MNU jumped back out to an eight-point lead at 23-15 lead before PSC whittled away at the lead before taking the lead at 26-25 on another Williams bucket with 3:18 left in the first period. PSC would actually have a five-point lead at 32-27 following a two by Kirkpatrick. However, the Pioneers finished the half with an 8-0 run to take a 35-32 advantage at the half.
In the second half, the Pioneers scored the first six points to lead by nine and then the teams went back and forth with MNU maintaining the nine-point advantage at 56-47. Then PSC had a 15-7 run of its own to get back within one at 63-62 with just under five minutes to go. MNU would go back in front by as many as five several times during the rest of the game with PSC getting back to within one on an Oppitz bucket with seven seconds left at 73-72.
PSC immediately fouled and MNU made one of two to go up 74-72 giving the 'Cats another shot which went awry. The Bobcats fouled again and the Pioneers made one of two for the final margin at 75-72.
Game Statistics
Neither team shot the ball very well from the field as MNU finished making 23 of 61 field goals for 37.7% while PSC made 24 of 77 tries for 31.2%. The Pioneers made two of five three-point attempts for 40% compared to PSC's four of 14 for 28.6%. As noted earlier, the difference in the game came at the free-throw line with MNU making 27 charity tries compared to PSC's 20.
The Bobcats had the rebounding advantage at 47-40 and forced MNU into 19 turnovers while only committing 13 miscues themselves. PSC blocked eight shots on the night while the Pioneers had two.
Individual Statistics
Peru State had three players finishing in double figures. Kirkpatrick finished with a career-high 25 points, which included a perfect eight of eight at the charity stripe.
Williams finished with 17 points and added four rebounds, three steals, and one assist. Bohy scored all 12 of his points in the second half and added three boards.
Oppitz and Schaben finished in double figures with 18 and ten caroms. For Oppitz, it was a career-high mark in rebounding. Oppitz, Christensen, and
Andre Wells (Colorado Springs) each finished with two blocks with Schaben and Bohy each having one block.
MNU BOX SCORE 11-29
KNCY Player of the Game Comments
For having a career-high 25 points, Kirkpatrick was named the KNCY Player of the Game. Kirkpatrick was disappointed with the loss and said, “It was a tough game tonight. We wanted to come out with some emotion, but we may have played with a little too much emotion. We played well at times, but we were disappointed at other times as we did not execute.”
Kirkpatrick continued, “We will go back to the drawing board after thinking about this game over night as we need to get ready for the weekend. As a team, we need to execute better down the stretch. All you can ask for as a team is to have a chance at the end and we had it. We just know we have to turn it around and be ready to play on Saturday as at this point in the season, we need to get past the morale victories.”
Bobcat Head Coach Comments
PSC head coach Troy Katen was disappointed in the loss in talking following the game. Katen said, “Obviously, the technical killed us as MNU scored at least five of six on the fouls. We played well tonight and there would only be a few things we would take back and do differently, and those fouls were some of those.”
Katen added, “We knew we wanted to be a more physical team when it came time for conference play. That is why we played Washburn and Wayne State, both NCAA DII teams, so we could get prepared for the HAAC. But, even tonight we had some lapses about being tough.”
In conclusion, Katen said, “MNU made several runs, but we managed to respond. That is the difference between a seasoned team (Pioneers) and us, but we are not far off. In the key stat areas, we were close. It does come down to the little things that we preach, preach, preach about. We will get there as we had opportunities even with a minute left.”
Upcoming Games
The Bobcats are back in HAAC action on Saturday as they take on Central Methodist University in Fayette, Mo., at approximately 4 p.m. or 25 minutes following the women's game.
On Thursday, Dec. 6, PSC will travel to play Park University in Parkville, Mo. Game time with the Pirates is 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 8, the 'Cats will host the Wildcats of Culver-Stockton College in the AWAC beginning at approximately 4 p.m.
