(Peru, Neb.) – After scoring the first five points of the game, the Peru State men's basketball team never trailed in route to their first Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) win on Thursday. The Bobcats topped Avila University 91-71 in the Mabee Center in Kansas City, Mo.
With the win, the 'Cats improve to 1-2 in the HAAC and 5-7 overall. Avila dropped their third consecutive conference game and now is 0-3 in the HAAC and 2-9 overall.
First Half Action
Grant Leslie (Auburn) grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back in for Peru State's first two points of the game just 20 seconds into the contest. At the 19:03 mark in the first half, Leslie hit another bucket on an assist from
Brett Pierce (St. Joseph, Mo.).
Taylor Christensen (Phoenix) got into the scoring column as he made one of two free throws with 18:18 left on the first-half clock. With 17:25 left in the half, Avila got on the scoreboard, making it 5-2 at that point.
Just 22 seconds later,
Kody Kirkpatrick (Loami, Ill.) hit a three pointer on an assist from
Nate Bohy (Mesa, Ariz.). Then Bohy fed another assist, this time to
Brett Pierce, giving Peru State a 10-2 lead with 16:21 on the clock.
With 12:57 left in the first half, Kirkpatrick hit a bucket off a fast break giving the 'Cats their largest lead at that time of 22-8. Later, with 4:25 to go in the first half, two free throws by
Brett Pierce put Peru State up 39-21, their biggest lead at the time.
Before the end of the first half, the Bobcats would lead by 24 at 48-24 after
Brett Pierce hit another bucket. The Eagles would counter with a three, but David Leitao III
(Virginia Beach, Va.) hit a bucket in the paint on an assist from Connor Long
(Lincoln) with 31 seconds remaining. At halftime, the 'Cats led 50-27.
Second Half Action
Early in the second half, Avila cut the deficit to 17 at 52-35 with 18:13 to go in the game. But, the 'Cats would respond and had a 6-0 making it 58-35 with 16:21 remaining.
With just over ten minutes left in the game, the Eagles had pulled within 14 at 64-50 before Peru State rattled off nine straight points with James Pierce
(Omaha) hitting a pair of free throws with 7:53 to go.
With 5:04 left on the clock, Peru State had its largest lead of the second half at 83-56 as Kirkpatrick hit a fast-break bucket on an assist from Leitao III.
The Eagles closed the gap slightly near the end, but fell 91-71 to the 'Cats.
Team Statistics
Peru State shot better than Avila in all statistical categories. The Bobcats connected on 27 of 68 shots for 42.6%, including making 4 of 10 three-point tries for 40%. The 'Cats made 39 trips to the charity stripe and made 29 for 74.4%.
The Eagles hit 25 of 72 field goals for 34.7% which included going 11 of 35 from three-point range for 31.4%. Avila went to the free throw line fewer times than the number of shots Peru State made at the line, hitting 10 of 17 for 58.8%.
The Bobcats more than doubled up their opponents on the boards as Peru State snagged 59 rebounds compared to only 25 for Avila. While the game was fast-paced, only 19 turnovers were committed between the two teams with the Bobcats having 12. One category the Eagles were on top was blocked shots as they swatted away six Peru State attempts while the 'Cats had two blocked shots.
Individual Statistics
All ten Bobcats suited up scored and Peru State finished with four players in double figures. Bohy and Kirkpatrick each finished with 21 points while Christensen and Leslie each added 12.
Bohy and Christensen each finished with a double double as Bohy had a season- and career-high 17 rebounds while Christensen grabbed 11.
Bohy also dished out six assists and was credited with two steals. James Pierce led Peru State with three steals and also handed out three assists.
AVILA BOX SCORE
Upcoming Games
Peru State will look to continue their winning streak on Monday night at home as they host the Eagles of AIB College of Business from Des Moines, Iowa. The Bobcats defeated the Eagles in the first game of the season 74-65. Presently, AIB is winless on the season. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
