There were seven lead changes and five ties in the first half in which Grace still lead 22-21 before the Bobcats closed the half with a 15-7 run. The Royals largest lead of the half came at 15-10 with 11:30 remaining in the first 20 minutes, but PSC battled back with six points to regain the lead at 16-15. The late Bobcat run at the end of the first half came as PSC forced Grace into numerous turnovers and were able to capitalize on them.
, giving PSC its first double-digit lead at 43-32 with 17:33 left in the game.
at the 15:35 mark to make it 48-36. Grace went on a mini-run to get back within five at 54-49 with just over ten minutes left in the game.
The Bobcats responded with a 12-3 run of their own to gain their largest lead of the game at that point at 66-52 with 8:04 remaining. Grace did get back within single digits at 69-60, but that was short-lived as
Peru State finished off the game with a 9-4 run to capture the 17-point victory at 81-64.
Team Statistics
Both teams shot the ball well in the game as PSC made 28 of 56 attempts for 50% while Grace made 24 of 49 for 49%. From behind the arc, the 'Cats held a slight advantage making seven of 17 for 41.2% while the Royals hit three of eight of 37.5%. The teams were nearly identical at the charity stripe as Grace made 13 of 18 for 72.2% and PSC connected on 18 of 25 tries for 72%.
The Royals outrebounded PSC 29 to 24. The big difference in the game came in turnovers as the Bobcats forced 27 Royals errors while committing ten less. PSC blocked five shots while Grace had no blocked shots.
Individual Statistics
Six Bobcats scored in double figures as they had a very balanced attack. Kirkpatrick finished with a game-high 15 points while Oppitz added 14 points and a team high-high six rebounds. Schaben added 13 points and three boards. Both Oppitz and Schaben had two blocks.
Also in double figures for Peru State were Bohy with 11 and Williams and Donald each with ten. Williams dished out a game-high four assists.
GRACE BOX SCORE
Career Updates
Oppitz has moved up to fourth on the all-time blocked shots record with 66, moving ahead of Lawrence Hollier who played in 1996-97 and had finished with 64. Oppitz is one away from tying for third place. Ahead of Oppitz on top is current teammate
Andre Wells (Colorado Springs) who presently has 89 blocks, but Wells has been on the injured list recently.
Also moving up in the career charts is Williams. Recently, Williams moved into seventh on the all-time scoring list and now has 1,223 points. This season Williams has moved past Mike Yates (1,199 points – 1985-88), Clyde Wilkins (1,193 points – 1968-71), Hall of Famer Bob Buettgenbach (1,153 points – 1959-62), and Wayne Heine (1,148 – 1966-68). Williams is just 37 points away from the sixth spot.
Upcoming Games
Two Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) games are up next on the Peru State schedule for the rest of the week. On Thursday, the 'Cats will host the Ravens of Benedictine College beginning at approximately 7:30 p.m. or immediately following the women's game. The Ravens are 2-2 in the HAAC and 10-5 overall.
Peru State will travel to Kansas City, Mo., on Saturday, Jan. 12, to take on the Avila University Eagles. Game time is scheduled for approximately 4 p.m. Presently, the Eagles and Bobcats are tied for seventh in the conference with a 1-4 mark. Overall, Avila is 6-9.
The following Thursday, Peru State will host the YellowJackets from Graceland University beginning at approximately 7:30 p.m. Currently, Graceland is also 1-4 in the HAAC and is 4-12 overall.
