(Peru, Neb.) – The game would not mean anything in terms of post-season play for the Peru State College (PSC) men's basketball team.  However, a win would have been good to have the season end on a positive note.
 
But, a win was not in the cards for the Bobcats as Evangel University defeated PSC 73-62 to end the 2011-12 season for the 'Cats.
 
The lone positive in the game was that Bobcat junior Derrick Williams (St. Joseph, Mo.) went over the 1,000-point mark for his career.  Williams finished with 20 points on the night and stands at 1,008 points going into his senior season.
 
The Crusaders finished the season with a 22-8 overall record and finished in second in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) with a 14-4 record.  Peru State ended its season losing four straight and finished 3-27 overall and 2-16 in the HAAC.  The 'Cats finished in ninth in the HAAC.
 
Game Action
 
Evangel took a 4-0 lead before Kevin Tighe (North Platte) drained a trey on the assist from Patrick Riley (Kansas City, Mo.).   Another three by Eric Donald (Omaha) on an assist from Riley gave PSC their first lead of the game at 6-4 with 18:30 left in the first stanza.
 
Another 4-0 run by the Crusaders put them on top at 8-6.  However, the third trey of the game for the 'Cats, this one from Brett Pierce (St. Joseph, Mo.) on an assist from Jacob Schaben (Defiance, Iowa), regained the lead for Peru State at 9-8.  Unfortunately for the Bobcats, this would be their last lead of the game as Evangel put together an 11-0 run to go up by double digits at 20-9 at the 12:38 mark.
 
Peru State played the Crusaders fairly even for the remainder of the half as Evangel led 38-25 after the first 20 minutes.
 
In the first four minutes of the half, Evangel jumped to a 20-point advantage at 50-30.  The closest the Bobcats would get would be at 61-52 after Williams hit two free throws.
 
Team Statistics
 
The shooting percentages for the teams were similar with Evangel holding a slight edge in all categories.  The Crusaders made 28 of 63 field goals for 44.4%, including six of 16 from behind the arc for 30%.  At the line, EU was 12 of 17 for 64.7%.
 
Peru State made 22 of 55 field goals for 40%.  From three-point range, PSC was four of 16 for 25%.  At the charity stripe, the Bobcats were 14 of 23 for 60.9%.
 
Evangel grabbed 44 rebounds, ten more than the 'Cats.  Peru State committed one more turnover than Evangel, making 18 errors.

GAME BOX SCORE
 
Individual Statistics
 
Williams had a game-high 20 points as he went eight of 12 from the floor and made all four free throw attempts.  Donald also finished in double figures with 11. 
 
Andre Wells (Colorado Springs) tied for game-high rebounding honors with six.  Wells also blocked one shot.