(Peru, Neb.) – It was a must win for both teams for post-season tournament play and the Peru State Bobcat men prevailed on Monday night.  The 'Cats went on the road and defeated the Graceland University YellowJackets 72-57.
 
With the win, the Bobcats tied for seventh in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) with Avila University with 5-13 conference marks.  Avila, by virtue of a season sweep of the Bobcats, earned the seventh seed in the tournament with Peru State gaining the eighth and final seed.  Overall, Peru State improved to 12-17.
 
Graceland fell to 7-22 overall and 4-14 on the season that concluded with the loss for the YellowJackets.
Game Action
 
Richard Oppitz (Topeka, Kan.) put the Bobcats on the board first as he grabbed an offensive rebound and stuck in back in at the 19:39 mark in the first half.  Graceland came back with the next six points to lead 6-2 before Derrick Williams (St. Joseph, Mo.) hit a pair of free throws to make it 6-4 with 15:23 remaining in the first 20 minutes.  
The 'Jackets went on a 5-0 run to lead 11-4 before Peru State put together an 8-0 run of their own to take a 12-11 lead at the 10:35 mark.  Graceland would forge to a 24-18 advantage with just over five minutes left in the half. 
 
At that point, the Bobcats caught fire and finished the half on a 14-3 run to lead 32-27 at intermission.
 
The early part of the second half was back and forth with the game tied at 38-38 and 40-40.  That was before Kody Kirkpatrick (Loami, Ill.) hit one of his three three-pointers, on an assist from Nate Bohy (Mesa, Ariz.), to put Peru State on top for good with 13:19 left in the game.   Bohy dished off another assist to Jarvis Green-Smoot (Norfolk) who made it 45-40 at the 11:50 mark.
 
The Bobcats would lead by as many as 13 before winning the game by 15 at 72-57.  Graceland would come only as close as eight points at 57-49 before dropping their final game of the year.  
Team Statistics
 
Peru State had an excellent night shooting as they connected on 25 of 47 field goals for 53.2%, which included four of 16 from behind the arc for 25%.  At the free throw line, the 'Cats had their best night of the season making 18 of 20, including a perfect 11 of 11 in the second half, for 90%. 
 
The YellowJackets managed to hit 22 of 63 for 34.9% that included making five of 21 from three-point range for 23.8%.  At the charity stripe, Graceland made eight of 11 for 72.7%.
 
The Bobcats outrebounded Graceland 35-31, but committed a few more turnovers, 15 compared to 12.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Three Bobcats finished in double figures and were led by Kirkpatrick, who finished with 24 points, which included being perfect at the free throw line, hitting nine of nine.  Williams and Bohy each added 18 points.  Williams dished out a game-high four assists.  Bohy was a big contributor in other areas finishing with a game-highs in rebounds - nine, assists – six, and steals – four.
 
Oppitz finished with seven rebounds and three blocks.

GRACELAND BOX SCORE
 
Record Watch
 
With his three blocks, Oppitz became the single-season record holder with 47 blocks.  Oppitz took the record from Robert Nicholas, who had 45 blocks during the 1986-87 season.  
Upcoming Games
 
With their win, Peru State made it into the HAAC quarterfinals and will travel to Springfield, Mo., on Thursday to take on the Evangel University Crusaders, with the game beginning at 7 p.m.  The Bobcats nearly upset Evangel this past Saturday, but dropped the contest 51-50.
 
With an upset on Thursday, Peru State would go on the road again to face either Central Methodist or Benedictine on Saturday, March 2.  The championship game is scheduled for Tuesday, March 5.
 
The men's game on Thursday can be heard live on KNCY 103.1 Radio by linking to the Bobcat athletic website, to the radio station, or downloading KNCY's mobile app.