(Peru, Neb.) – The Peru State College (PSC) Bobcat men's basketball team built a substantial lead and then held off the Missouri Valley College Vikings to nab their first win in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) on Saturday. 
 
The Bobcats defeated the Vikings 86-79 to improve to 1-4 in the HAAC and 7-8 overall.  The 1-4 mark puts Peru State in a three-way tie for seventh in the ten-team league.  Mo Valley is still looking for their first conference win and is presently 0-4 in the HAAC and 5-11 overall.
 
Game Action
 
The lead changed hands 14 different times in the first half before Peru State took a 26-25 lead with 5:17 to go in the first 20 minutes.  The Bobcats scored the next ten straight points to lead 36-25 before the Vikings were able to get back on the board.  By halftime, PSC led 43-30.  
Peru State maintained a double-digit lead throughout most of the second half and led by as many as 17 at 72-55 with just under seven minutes left in the game. 
 
Mo Valley went on a 17-6 run to get within eight at 78-70 at the 2:32 mark.   A PSC three-pointer put Peru State up by 11 at 81-70 before the Vikings had a 9-2 run to get within four at 83-79 with 45 ticks left on the clock.  Missouri Valley was forced to foul and PSC ended up winning 86-79.
 
Team Statistics
 
Peru State outshot the Vikings from the field with Mo Valley doing better at the charity stripe.  The Bobcats made 26 of 55 field goal attempts for 47.3% and were deadly from behind the arc hitting 11 of 20 for 55%.  The Vikings connected on 29 of 62 field goals for 46.8% and made 25% of their three pointers making four of 16.  At the free throw line, the Vikings hit 17 of 22 for 77.3% while PSC made 23 of 34 for 67.6%.
 
The 'Cats outrebounded Mo Valley 31-27.  Both teams committed 14 turnovers in a relatively clean game. 
 
Individual Statistics
 
Four Bobcats scored in double figures and were led by Kody Kirkpatrick (Loami, Ill.) with 27.  Kirkpatrick was seven of 16 from the floor which included going six of 11 from three-point range. 
 
Nate Bohy (Mesa, Ariz.) added 17 points and five assists while Eric Donald (Omaha) had 13 points, hitting three three-pointers.  Richard Oppitz (Topeka, Kan.) had ten points and a game-high nine rebounds.  Oppitz had PSC's lone blocked shot.  
MISSOURI VALLEY BOX SCORE

Upcoming Games
 
The Bobcats will play on Monday, Jan. 7, when they host the Grace University Royals from the National Christian College Athletic Conference.  Game time is scheduled for approximately 7:30 p.m. or immediately following the women's game.
 
Peru State will be back in conference action on Thursday night when HAAC foes, the Benedictine College Ravens, come to Peru.  The tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. or immediately following the women's game.
 
Then, on Saturday, PSC will be on the road and will travel to Kansas City, Mo., to face Avila University.  Game time with the Eagles will begin at approximately 4 p.m.