For the first time in many years, the Peru State Bobcat men's basketball team defeated an NAIA Top 10 team. On Thursday night, the 'Cats went to Atchison, Kan., and defeated the Benedictine College Ravens 74-69. In this week's NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll, the Ravens were ranked ninth.
With the win, the Bobcats improved to 9-11 overall and 4-6 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC). The win moved Peru State into a three-way tie for sixth in the league.
The loss dropped Benedictine to 8-2 in conference play, now one-half game back of the league-leading Evangel University Crusaders. Overall, the Ravens are now 15-5.
The game was close throughout as in the first half there were eight ties and four lead changes. Peru State led by as many as eight at 26-18 while the Ravens' largest lead was just one point.
Taylor Christensen (Phoenix) was the first to get on the board for Peru State which came on an assist from
Nate Bohy (Mesa, Ariz.). A Raven bucket tied the score before Bohy hit a bucket in the paint to put Peru State back up at 4-2 with 17:41 left in the first 20 minutes.
The teams were later tied at 4-4, 6-6, 8-8, 12-12, 15-15, and 18-18. After being tied at 18-18, Peru State went on an 8-0 run to take its largest lead of the first half.
Justin Jones (Edmond, Okla.) hit the first bucket of the 8-0 run on an assist from
Brett Pierce (St. Joseph, Mo.) with 6:54 remaining in the half. Pierce then hit a three-pointer on an assist from Bohy to make it 23-18.
Bohy was then fouled and made one of two free throws. Jones grabbed an offensive rebound and got the ball to teammate
Kody Kirkpatrick (Loami, Ill.) who was then fouled. Kirkpatrick hit both free throws to extend the lead to 26-18 with 5:16 to go.
The Ravens finished the half by out-scoring Peru State 9 to 4 to get within three at 30-27.
Peru State never relinquished the lead in the second half even though Benedictine was within several times with the latest being at 36-35 with just under 15 minutes left in the game.
At that point, Jones hit another bucket on an assist from Bohy, making it 38-35.
Jesse Jones (Edmond, Okla.) then hit a pair of free throws, increasing the lead to 40-35 with 13:04 to go. Another bucket by
Jesse Jones gave the 'Cats a seven-point cushion at 42-35 at the 11:57 mark.
Benedictine cut it to 42-39 with just over ten minutes to go before a 21 to 8 run gave the Bobcats their largest lead of the game at 63-47 with 2:51 left in the game.
The Ravens put on a furious rally to try to recapture the lead, but only got back within three at 72-69 with four seconds left. Having to foul, Benedictine sent Kirkpatrick to the line where he made both for the final score of 74-69.
Team Statistics
Despite winning the game, the Bobcats were out-shot from the floor by Benedictine. However, the biggest difference came from the free-throw line where the 'Cats stepped to the line 40 times and hit 31 for 77.5%. From the floor, Peru State was 20 of 49 for 40.8% which included making 3 of 11 three-pointers for 27.3%.
Benedictine hit 24 of 53 field goals for 45.3% and made 6 of 15 treys for 40%. The Ravens only went to the free-throw line 22 times and hit 15 for 68.2%.
The rebounding margin was close with the Ravens winning the battle – 35 to 33. Peru State only committed 11 turnovers and forced 17 Benedictine miscues.
The Ravens blocked four shots compared to Peru State's two.
Individual Statistics
Four Bobcats finished in double figures with Bohy leading the way with 20 points on 5 of 9 shooting from the floor and 9 of 11 at the free throw line. The Jones' twins each finished with 17 points. For both, it was their career high in scoring. Kirkpatrick added ten points.
Jesse Jones led Peru State in rebounding as he grabbed eight boards. Bohy added six caroms.
Bohy dished out four assists while James Pierce
(Omaha) added three. Christensen and
Justin Jones were each credited for one block.
Jesse Jones led the team with three steals.
BENEDICTINE BOX SCORE
Upcoming Games
Peru State takes the court again on Saturday as they will host the new HAAC leader, the Evangel University Crusaders. The 10
th-ranked Crusaders are 17-4 overall and 8-1 in the HAAC as they now hold a one-half game lead over Benedictine. Game time Saturday is scheduled for 4 p.m. or approximately 25 minutes after the conclusion of the women's game.
It will be one week before the Bobcats face another HAAC foe, but they are not taking the entire week off. In fact, Peru State will be facing NCAA Division I opponents back-to-back within less than 24 hours.
On Tuesday, the 'Cats head to Vermillion, S.D., to face the University of South Dakota Coyotes. Presently, the Coyotes are 8-12 overall and are 7-2 on their home court.
After traveling home on Tuesday night, Peru State will get on the bus early to head to Ralston to take on another Summit League member, the Mavericks of the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Currently, the Mavs are 12-9 overall and are 7-1 on their home court.
After a couple days' break, Peru State will host Avila University on Saturday, Feb. 8. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m. The Eagles are currently in the basement of the HAAC with a 1-9 mark and are 3-16 overall.
