(Peru, Neb.) – After building a 13-point lead at halftime, the MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) Pioneers went on to defeat the Peru State men 94-85 in Tuesday night action. The game was a make-up contest for the game previously postponed due to a power outage last Thursday evening.

With the win, the Pioneers, who were receiving votes in the most recent NAIA coaches' poll, improved to 18-10 overall and 10-6 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC). MNU is assured of a post-season berth as they are currently alone in fourth in conference play with the top eight teams making it to the conference tournament.

Peru State fell to 9-17 overall and 4-12 in the HAAC and is in a tie for the eighth and final spot with Avila University. The final two regular season games will determine the Bobcats post-season fate.
Game Action

The Bobcats never led in the game as MNU jumped to a 4-0 lead before Taylor Christensen (Phoenix) hit a bucket on an assist from Nate Bohy (Mesa, Ariz.) with 18:29 left in the first twenty minutes. Another 5-0 run gave the Pioneers a 9-2 advantage. A bucket by Bohy cut it to 9-4 after he grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back in.

Peru State did get back within two at 13-11 when Brett Pierce (St. Joseph, Mo.) hit a three-pointer on an assist from Jesse Jones (Edmond, Okla.) at the 14:08 mark in the first half. This would be as close as the Bobcats would be the rest of the game.

By halftime, MidAmerica Nazarene built a 13-point lead at 45-32.

In the second half, the 'Cats did get back within four at 84-80 and 86-82, but could not cut any further into the deficit.
Team Statistics

If a team shoots 53.7% from the field, one would think they would win. That is what Peru State did, but still lost. From behind the arc, the 'Cats were 4 of 9 for 44.4%. At the free throw line, the Bobcats were 9 of 13 for 69.2%.

MNU sizzled from the floor, making 35 of 53 field goals for 66%. The Pioneers were 2 of 7 from three-point range for 28.6%. MidAmerica Nazarene shot twice as many free throws as Peru State, making 22 of 26 for 84.6%.

The Pioneers did out-rebound Peru State 29 to 23. The 'Cats only committed seven turnovers while MNU had 11 miscues.

Individual Statistics

Bohy led all scorers with 30 points on 13 of 20 shooting. Also scoring in double figures were Christensen with 20, Jesse Jones with 13, and Kody Kirkpatrick finished with 12.

Bohy and Christensen each finished with seven rebounds for the 'Cats. Bohy also led the team in assists with five while Jesse Jones had four. Jones also had two steals.

MNU BOX SCORE

Upcoming Games

The Bobcats have two regular season games remaining which will determine their fate as to whether or not they will participate in HAAC post-season play.

On Thursday, Peru State travels to Baldwin City, Kan., to face Baker University with game time scheduled for 7:30 p.m. With a win over the 9-18 Wildcats, who are 3-13 in HAAC play and in last in the conference, Peru State would assure themselves of a playoff spot. A loss could throw the Bobcats into a three-way tie for the eighth and final spot.

It will be Senior Day on Saturday, March 1, when the 'Cats take on the Eagles of Central Methodist University in the Al Wheeler Activity Center. Currently, the Eagles are in fifth in the conference with a 9-7 mark and are 16-12 overall.

When the Bobcats make the post-season tournament, the top four seeds will host games at their home sites on Thursday, March 6.