(Peru, Neb.) – After Baker University went to a 16-point lead at halftime, the Wildcats withstood a Bobcat rally in the second half to win their final home game of the regular season over Peru State 75-57.
For Baker, it was a much-needed win as it moved the Wildcats into a three-way tie for eighth in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) with Peru State and Avila University with 4-13 conference marks. Only eight teams make the post-season tournament, so it is likely to come down to the final game on Saturday to determine which team participates. Overall, Baker improved to 10-18 on the season.
The Bobcats fell to 9-18 overall and are in the midst of a seven-game losing streak.
Game Action
Peru State responded to Baker's opening bucket as David Leitao III
(Virginia Beach, Va.) hit a jumper in the paint to tie it at 2-2 with 18:52 left in the opening stanza. Another bucket by the Wildcats was countered by a pair of free throws by
Nate Bohy (Mesa, Ariz.) with 16:51 remaining in the first 20 minutes.
An 11-0 run by Baker put the Wildcats in the lead for good at 15-4 at the 14:43 mark. Peru State did cut the lead back to five in the first half with 10:55 to go as Bohy hit a bucket in the paint, making it 17-12.
The Wildcats finished the half with a 26-15 run to lead 43-27 at the break.
With 12:21 left in the game, Peru State was back within single digits at 49-40 after Bohy grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back in.
Baker finished the game by outscoring the Bobcats 26-17 and went on to the 18-point win.
Team Statistics
The Wildcats shot better than Peru State in all statistical categories. From the floor, Baker was 24 of 52 for 46.2%, including hitting 8 of 19 for 42.1%. At the free throw line, the Wildcats hit 19 of 22 for 86.4%.
Peru State shot 40.9% from the field, making 18 of 44 field goals. From behind the arc, the Bobcats made 3 of 12 for 25%. From the charity stripe, Peru State hit 18 of 25 from 72%.
Baker held a one rebound edge over the Bobcats, 31 to 30. Peru State committed 15 turnovers while the Wildcats had ten. The Bobcats had three blocked shots on the night.
Individual Statistics
Three Bobcats finished in double figures. Bohy led all scorers with 18 points while
Kody Kirkpatrick (Loami, Ill.) and
Taylor Christensen (Phoenix) finished with 12 and 11 respectively.
Bohy was also Peru State's top rebounder as he grabbed seven boards with
Jesse Jones (Edmond, Okla.) adding five.
Bohy and James Pierce
(Omaha) each had three assists with six Bobcats each having one steal. Christensen blocked three shots in the game.
BAKER BOX SCORE
Upcoming Game(s)
The Bobcats will host Central Methodist University on Saturday for their final regular season game. Presently, the Eagles are 10-7 in the HAAC and 17-12 overall. Their 10-7 mark has the Eagles in fifth in the conference.
Prior to the start of the warm-ups for the men's game which is scheduled for 4 p.m., Peru State will recognize two Bobcat cheerleaders and five Bobcat men's basketball players.
Peru State's post-season playoff hopes will come down to the final regular season games. With a Bobcat win and a loss by both Baker and Avila, Peru State will be in. If Peru State loses, it appears they will be out of post-season play based on the conference tiebreaker rules.
