(Peru, Neb.) – The Bobcat men's basketball team picked up their seventh win of the season over the visiting Avila University Eagles on Saturday by a score of 86-77.
Peru State improved to 7-4 overall and are now 2-1 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The Eagles fell to 4-7 for the year and 0-3 in the Heart.
Game Action The Bobcats never trailed in the contest as
Corday Sims (Chicago) hit a trey on an assist from
Calvin Thomas (Chicago) to start the game. Thomas then hit a jumper on an assist from
Sean McGary (Omaha) to make it 5-0 with just over a minute gone in the game.
Corday Sims goes for two of his 22 points
(photo by Bonnie Henzel) A 17-9 run put the 'Cats up 22-9 with 13:42 remaining in the first 20 minutes.
Peru State led by 15 on several occasions in the first half with their last 15-point advantage coming at 48-33. The Eagles were able to cut into that lead by trimming six points off their deficit by halftime.
After the first 20 minutes, the Bobcats led 48-39.
In the second half, Peru State went on a 9-0 run to start the half on buckets by
Jamar Cannon (Inglewood, Calif.), Phillip Jackson (Chicago), Sims, and then a trey by Thomas. Avila would come back with a pair of baskets to make it 57-43, but Thomas hit another bucket to increase the lead.
Peru State would maintain the double-digit lead until the 5:27 mark in the contest as Avila had cut the deficit to nine at 72-63. Cannon would drain a trey on an assist from Sims to put the 'Cats back up by 12 after both teams would miss several scoring opportunities.
The rest of the game would see the teams trade buckets with the Bobcats grabbing the 86-77 win.
Calvin Thomas gets two of his team-high 23 points
(photo by Bonnie Henzel) Team Statistics Both teams shot the ball well from the floor. Peru State was 30 of 54 for 55.6% which included making 10 of 17 from three-point range for 58.8%. At the charity stripe, the Bobcats made 16 of 27 for 59.3%.
Avila also shot better than 50% as they connected on 26 of 50 attempts for 52%. From behind the arc, the Eagles made 9 of 16 for 56.3%. Avila did fare better from the free throw line as they made 16 of 22 for 72.7%.
The Bobcats won the rebounding battle 32 to 20. Peru State did commit one more turnover than Avila as they had 19, compared to the Eagles' 18. The 'Cats blocked three shots in the game.
Individual Statistics Three Bobcats were in double figures with Thomas leading the way with 23 points. Thomas made 10 of 12 field goals, including 3 of 5 from long range. Sims added 22 points on 8 of 15 shooting which also included 4 of 5 behind the arc. Cannon added 14 points.
Jackson had a game-high seven rebounds while
Tokie Aromona (Kansas City, Mo.) added six.
Sims and Thomas each dished out four assists. Sims also had a game-high two steals.
Jackson, Aromona, and
DeShun Roberts (Omaha) each blocked one shot.
AVILA GAME BOX Upcoming Games The Bobcats men will take nearly a two-week break before resuming practice and will not play until 2015.
Peru State will participate in the Coyote Classic in Salina, Kan., on Jan. 2 and 3. Kansas Wesleyan University will host the event and will be the Bobcats' first opponent on the second at 8 p.m. Currently, the Coyotes are 3-8 on the season and will play two games in Florida next week before taking a break.
On Jan. 3, the 'Cats will play Bethany College at 2 p.m. Presently, the Swedes are 8-3 and will also play a pair of games yet in December before facing the Bobcats in the tournament.
