(Peru, Neb.) – After trailing by 14 at 66-52 with 9:04 left in the game, a furious rally brought the Peru State men's basketball team back to a tie at 77-77 with less than 30 seconds left in the game. However, the rally was for naught as the visiting Avila University team drove to the hoop with seconds remaining to capture a 79-77 win.
With the win, the Eagles improved to 5-16 overall and 3-9 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC). The Bobcats fell to 9-13 overall and 4-8 in the HAAC and are now tied for seventh in the conference standings with six HAAC games remaining.
Game Action
After Avila jumped to a 4-0 lead to start the game, back-to-back buckets by
Nate Bohy (Mesa, Ariz.) and
Kody Kirkpatrick (Loami, Ill.) pulled the game into a tie at 4-4 with 16:10 left in the first half.
For the next eight minutes, the teams traded hoops, during which there were five more ties and six lead changes. After Avila tied the game at 21-21 with 8:14 remaining in the first 20 minutes, the Eagles then scored the next 11 points, jumping to a 32-21 lead at the 5:16 mark.
During the rest of the first half, Peru State was only able to get back within eight on three occasions, but still trailed after the first 20 minutes, 43-32.
At the start of the first half,
Taylor Christensen (Phoenix) completed an old-fashioned three-point play to cut the deficit to 43-35. Then,
Brett Pierce (St. Joseph, Mo.) made one of two free throws and the 'Cats were back within seven at 43-36 with 19:06 left in the game.
Two quick buckets by Avila again put the Eagles back up by 11 at 47-36 at the 17:35 mark.
After that point, the Bobcats started their first big rally of the second stanza. A field goal by Bohy, followed by a free throw by
Jesse Jones (Edmond, Okla.) made it 47-39. Kirkpatrick followed with a three-pointer on an assist from Bohy and with 16:14 left in the game, Peru State trailed 47-42.
Miscues by both teams followed, but Pierce then fed
Justin Jones (Edmond, Okla.) the ball and Jones scored, putting the 'Cats back within three at 47-44 at the 14:18 mark.
Avila responded with a 9-0 run to build their lead back to double digits at 56-44 with 12:08 left.
Eventually, the Eagles would lead by 14 twice with the last big lead at 66-52 with 9:04 to go in the game.
Bohy, on an assist from Kirkpatrick, drained a three to cut the deficit to 11 at 66-55. Bohy then made one of two free throws and followed with a bucket on an assist from
Justin Jones to get Peru State within eight at 66-58 with 7:56 left.
Kirkpatrick added a trey, this time on an assist from Bohy, making it 66-61 Avila with 6:50 remaining.
Later, Avila had a seven-point advantage at 75-68 with 2:49 left in the game.
Christensen hit a bucket in the paint on an assist from Kirkpatrick at the 1:25 mark, cutting into Avila's lead, making it 75-70. After a Peru State timeout, Bohy grabbed an Avila missed shot which led to an old-fashioned three-point play by Kirkpatrick, getting the 'Cats within two at 75-73 with 63 seconds left in the game.
Justin Jones made one of two free throws, putting the score at 75-74, before Avila converted on two free throws. With 31 seconds left, Avila led 77-74. After grabbing an offensive rebound,
Justin Jones nailed a trey and Peru State had tied the game at 77-77.
Unfortunately for the Bobcats, Avila was able to go to their offensive end and hit a bucket. After an Eagle timeout, Peru State was not able to convert as a long three-pointer missed its mark, giving Avila the win at 79-77.
Team Statistics
From the floor, Peru State outshot Avila as they connected on 29 of 51 field goals for 56.9%. From long range, the Bobcats were 5 of 14 for 35.7%. At the free throw line, the 'Cats were 14 of 25 for 56%.
The Eagles made 29 of 59 field goals for 49.2%, but were hot from three-point range, canning 11 of 21 for 52.4%. At the charity stripe, Avila was 10 of 17 for 58.8%.
Peru State held a slight rebounding edge at 29-27. Both teams committed 13 turnovers.
Individual Statistics
Four Bobcats finished in double figures and were led by Bohy's 21 game-high points. Kirkpatrick finished with 20 while
Justin Jones added 12. Christensen finished with 11 points.
Christensen had the only double-double of the game as he grabbed ten rebounds. Also, Christensen blocked five shots on the night.
Bohy dished out a game-high five assists while Kirkpatrick added three.
Jesse Jones was credited with a team-high two steals.
AVILA BOX SCORE
Upcoming Games
The Bobcats will face the two teams directly ahead of them in the HAAC standings this week. With wins, it would go a long ways into securing a post-season berth for Peru State.
On Thursday, the Bobcats will be traveling to Lamoni, Iowa, to take on the Yellowjackets of Graceland University. The Yellowjackets and Bobcats are tied with 4-8 marks in the conference standings, but Graceland is 12-11 on the season. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. or approximately 25 minutes following the end of the women's game.
Missouri Valley College will be the foe on Saturday, Feb. 15, in the Al Wheeler Activity Center (AWAC). The Vikings are also 12-11 overall, but are 5-7 in the HAAC, just one game ahead of both Graceland and Peru State. Game time is scheduled for approximately 4 p.m.
Saturday is the Foundation's annual Alumni Chili Feed. Immediately following the women's basketball game, the National Alumni Association will begin serving chili with a freewill donation accepted. Also on Saturday, the Fantastic Flyers of Gary's Tumbling in Glenwood, Iowa, will be performing during halftime of each game.
Finally, between the games, and prior to the start of the men's warm-up, student-athletes from the fall sports will be recognized for their academic and athletic efforts.
