(Peru, Neb.) – After leading for a good portion of the game, a big second half by the Pioneers of MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) doomed the Peru State College (PSC) Bobcat men's upset chances on Thursday in Olathe, Kan.
 
The Bobcats led at halftime at halftime 37-32, but the Pioneers outscored PSC 46-31 in the second half to claim a 78-68 victory. 
 
With the win, MNU moves to 8-2 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) and 16-6 overall.  The Pioneers remain tied on top of the conference with Evangel University.  Peru State's loss drops the 'Cats to 2-8 in the HAAC, keeping them in a tie for eighth in the ten-team league.  Overall, the Bobcats are now 9-12 for the season.
 
Game Action
 
The first half went back and forth, as there were ten different lead changes in the first 20 minutes.   Nate Bohy (Mesa, Ariz.) put Peru State on the board first with a jumper in the paint, but MNU quickly countered to tie it at 2-2.  Kody Kirkpatrick (Loami, Ill.) hit a two-pointer, followed by another Bohy bucket to make it 6-2 Bobcats with 18:23 left in the half.
 
A three-pointer by Kirkpatrick gave PSC a seven-point lead at 9-2, before MNU hit their second field goal of the first half, making it 9-4 with 16:50 left.  Bohy found the three-point range on the next possession, giving the 'Cats their largest lead of the game at 12-4 with 16:40 left.
 
The Pioneers countered with a 9-0 run to take their first lead at 13-12 with 13:49 to go in the first half.  A two-pointer by Jarvis Green-Smoot (Norfolk) gave the lead back to PSC, but MNU quickly regained the lead on the next possession.
 
Eventually, the Pioneers would lead by as many as five at 28-23 with 7:19 left in the half.  PSC finished the half with a 14-5 run to lead going into the break at 37-32.
 
Peru State opened the second half by extending their lead to 44-34 coming off a three-pointer by Peter Knudsen (Vanloese, Denmark) with 17:04 left in the game.  It was at that point in the game where the Pioneers started their comeback.  Over the next seven minutes, MNU outscored PSC 19-9 to knot it at 53-53 at the 10:43 mark. 
 
The teams battled closely over the next five minutes with PSC only trailing 62-60 with 5:39 left.  The Pioneers went on a 16-5 run, giving them a 13-point lead with 71 ticks left on the clock.  PSC did get back within ten at the end of the game, losing 78-68.
 
Team Statistics
 
The Rocky Lamar Court proved to be hot for the home team as the Pioneers made 32 of 58 field goal attempts for 55.2%.  MNU was three of five from behind the arc for 60%.  At the free throw line, MNU was 11 of 16 for 68.8%.
 
The Bobcats were 26 of 65 for 40% from the floor, which included five of 15 shooting from three-point range for 33.3%.  PSC made 11 of 22 at the charity stripe for 50%.
 
MNU outrebounded Peru State 41-32, but committed more turnovers.  The Pioneers had 15 miscues while PSC only had nine.  MNU blocked six shots while PSC swatted seven Pioneer shot attempts.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Three Bobcats finished the game in double figures.  Bohy and Kirkpatrick tied for game-high honors with 18 points each, both making seven field goals, including two three pointers each.  Bohy added a game-high ten rebounds.
 
Richard Oppitz (Topeka, Kan.) added 12 points, seven rebounds, and three blocked shots.

MIDAMERICA NAZARENE
 
Upcoming Games
 
On Saturday, the 'Cats will host the Eagles of Central Methodist University at approximately 4 p.m.   The Eagles are 5-5 in the HAAC and 12-10 overall, coming off a loss to Evangel 71-61 on Thursday night.  During the doubleheader, the PSC Foundation will be hosting their annual Alumni Chili Feed with serving scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m.
 
The Bobcats will fly to Orem, Utah, on Sunday to prepare for a game with Utah Valley University on Monday, Jan. 28, in an exhibition game for PSC.  The NCAA Division I Wolverines are 9-11 and will play Chicago State University on Saturday.  Game time is 7:05 p.m. MST.
 
Peru State then will be off until Saturday when they travel to Canton, Mo., to take on the Culver-Stockton Wildcats with the game time scheduled for 4 p.m.  The Wildcats are 7-3 in the HAAC and 16-6 overall.  On Thursday, Culver-Stockton defeated Missouri Valley 91-64.