Evangel jumped to a 7-0 lead in less than two minutes to start the game, but the 'Cats fought back. Nate Bohy (Mesa, Ariz.) hit a bucket on an assist from Kody Kirkpatrick (Loami, Ill.) and then Kirkpatrick hit a two-pointer to make it 7-4. On an assist from Brett Pierce (St. Joseph, Mo.), Grant Leslie (Auburn) hit a field goal and was fouled. Leslie made the free throw to tie the game at 7-7 with 16:24 left in the first half.

Kirkpatrick then hit a bucket to give Peru State its only lead of the game at 9-7. The Crusaders went on an 8-0 run to lead 15-9 before Kirkpatrick drained a three-pointer on an assist from Pierce to make it 15-12 with 13:13 remaining in the first stanza.

A 13 to 4 run gave Evangel its largest lead of the first half at 28-16 with 8:16 to go in the first 20 minutes. Peru State would cut it to six on two different occasions, but trailed 40-32 at halftime.

During the first five minutes of the second half, the Bobcats would outscore Evangel 14 to 6 to tie it at 46-46 with 15:26 left in the game as Kirkpatrick hit a pair of free throws. The Crusaders would go back on top 50-46 before Kirkpatrick and Bohy would each hit a bucket to tie it at 50-50 with 12:15 remaining.

A 10-0 run by the Crusaders made it 60-50 with just over ten minutes to go. Peru State could only get back within seven during the rest of the game as Evangel pulled away for a 91-74 win.

Team Statistics

Both teams shot the ball well during the game as Evangel made 30 of 55 shots for 54.5% including 6 of 17 from behind the arc for 35.3%. Peru State made 28 of 56 field goals for 50% and made 7 of 19 from three-point range for 36.8%. At the charity stripe, the Crusaders were 25 of 32 for 78.1% while the 'Cats were 11 of 16 for 68.8%.
The Bobcats out-rebounded Evangel 33 to 27 but committed 15 turnovers compared to just five for the Crusaders. The Crusaders were credited for two blocked shots during the game.

Individual Statistics

Kirkpatrick matched his career high in the loss with 27 points on 10 of 21 shooting from the floor. Bohy was the only other Bobcat in double figures as he finished with 18 points.

Bohy and Tokie Aromona (Kansas City, Mo.) led Peru State with seven rebounds each. Pierce and James Pierce (Omaha) each dished out three assists while Brett Pierce and Jesse Jones (Edmond, Okla.) each were credited with one steal.

EVANGEL BOX SCORE

Upcoming Games

Peru State just has one more game in 2013 as they will not play until after finals are over. On Tuesday, Dec. 17, the 'Cats will travel to Leavenworth, Kan., to face the University of St. Mary Spires at 6 p.m. Earlier this season the Spires topped Peru State 93-85 during the HAAC/KCAC Classic hosted by the Bobcats. Currently, St. Mary is 6-3 but will play three more games before facing the Bobcats on the 17^th.

The Bobcats will then be off until 2014 and will open up on the road at Avila University in a HAAC matchup beginning at 7:30 p.m.