(Peru, Neb.) – As was the case in the women's game between Peru State College (PSC) and Avila University on Saturday, it was a tale of two halves in the men's game.  Unfortunately for the Bobcats, the results were reversed as PSC held a 14-point advantage at halftime and led by as many as 17 in the second half, before the Eagles dominated the remainder of the game. 
 
Avila went on to win 79-75 to get their second Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) win against five losses in the conference.  Overall, the Eagles improved to 7-10.  The tough loss for PSC dropped the team to 1-6 in the HAAC and 8-10 overall.  It was the Bobcats' second straight HAAC loss.
 
Game Action
 
Early in the game, the teams traded buckets and were tied at 16-16, the fifth tie of the game, with 12:33 left in the first 20 minutes.
 
A three-pointer by Nate Bohy (Mesa, Ariz.) gave the 'Cats a 19-16 advantage at the 12:19 mark and PSC led the remainder of the first half.  Peru State followed with hoops by Richard Oppitz (Topeka, Kan.), a free throw by Bohy, and another trey by Bohy to go up 25-16 before Avila would cut it to seven with a bucket. 
 
At the 2:25 mark in the first half, Kody Kirkpatrick (Loami, Ill.) hit a three-pointer to put PSC up by 19 at 48-29, the largest lead of the first half.  The Eagles would cut slightly into the lead by halftime to trail 52-38 after the first 20 minutes.
 
In the second half, PSC did extend its lead to 17 twice and led 57-40 after the first three minutes.  The Eagles would slowly cut into the lead and at the 11:11 mark, Avila was back within single digits at 61-53. 
 
Peru State still maintained a six-point advantage at 74-68 with just less than four minutes left in the game.  After that point, the 'Cats went on a dry spell as the Eagles outscored PSC 11-1 to take the 79-75 victory.
 
Team Statistics
 
It was at the free throw line where Avila won the game as they made 27 of 35 tries for 77.1% while PSC only shot 22 free throws, connecting on 13 for 59.1%.
 
Avila made 25 of 57 field goals for 43.9%, including two of six from behind the arc, for 33.3%.  PSC made one more field goal, hitting 26 of 59 for 44.1%.  In the first half, the 'Cats made 10 of 17 three pointers, but failed to connect on any of the four in the second half, to hit 47.6% of their treys.
 
Another big difference in the game was in the rebounding, as Avila owned the boards grabbing 46 caroms compared to PSC's 27.  The Eagles committed 19 turnovers while PSC had 17 miscues.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Peru State had four players in double figures and was led by Kirkpatrick who finished with 20 points.  Kirkpatrick made six of 12 field goal tries, including going six of nine from behind the arc.  In addition, Kirkpatrick dished out three assists.
 
Bohy added 16 points, four rebounds, and three assists.  Oppitz finished with 16 points and team-high six rebounds.  Derrick Williams (St. Joseph, Mo.) added 12 points, two rebounds, and two assists.

AVILA BOX SCORE
 
Upcoming Games
 
Two HAAC games are on the docket for Peru State this coming week.  On Thursday, the Bobcats will be hosting the YellowJackets from Graceland University.   Graceland is currently 2-5 in the conference and 5-13 overall.  On Saturday, the YellowJackets lost a 63-58 contest at home to Baker University.  Game time is scheduled for approximately 7:30 p.m. or 25 minutes following the women's contest.
 
On Saturday, PSC will be traveling to Springfield, Mo., to face the Evangel University Crusaders.  Currently, the Crusaders are sitting on top of the conference with MidAmerica Nazarene University with a 6-1 league mark, having won five games in a row.   The 13^th-ranked Evangel team defeated the 24^th-ranked Culver-Stockton Wildcats on Saturday 76-66 in Canton, Mo.