(Peru, Neb.) – The Peru State men's basketball team knew they had to win to have a shot at post-season play, but the visiting Central Methodist University (CMU) Eagles had something else in mind. The Eagles breezed to a 20-point halftime lead and then cruised to a 93-70 win.
With the win, the Eagles finished fifth in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) with an 11-7 mark and improved to 18-12 overall.
Peru State fell to 4-14 in the HAAC and 9-19 overall. The Bobcats dropped their last eight contests.
Game Action
Jesse Jones (Edmond, Okla.) put Peru State on top to start as he connected on a pair of free throws. After the Eagles tied it at 2-2,
Kody Kirkpatrick (Loami, Ill.) hit a three-pointer on an assist from
Nate Bohy (Mesa, Ariz.), which gave the 'Cats a 5-2 lead at the 18:15 mark in the first half.
Back-to-back treys by the Eagles gave then an 8-5 lead and Central Methodist never trailed after that.
Peru State was within ten at 28-18 at the 5:56 mark in the first 20 minutes after Bohy hit a pair of free throws. But, the Eagles finished the half by outscoring Peru State 16 to 6 and took a 44-24 lead into the halftime break.
The Bobcats never seriously threatened CMU in the second half as the Eagles led by as many as 36 at 85-49 before finishing with the 93-70 victory.
Team Statistics
The Eagles shot nearly 60% from the floor as they made 32 of 54 attempts for 59.3%. CMU shot almost as well from behind the arc, making 14 of 23 for 58.3%. At the charity stripe, the Eagles made 15 of 23 for 65.2%.
Peru State made 23 of 48 field goals for 47.9%, including 5 of 11 from three-point range for 45.5%. At the free throw line, the 'Cats made 21 of 27 for 70.4%.
CMU nearly doubled Peru State's rebounding total as they finished with 34, compared to the Bobcats' 18. The Bobcats committed nine turnovers while the Eagles had 12. Both teams blocked two shots.
Individual Statistics
Bohy and Jones were the only Bobcats finishing in double figures. Bohy finished with 23 points on 8 of 12 shooting, including 3 of 4 from long range. Jones added 19 points.
Jones was the team's leading rebounder as he grabbed six. Bohy added three. Jones also led the team with three assists and two steals.
CMU BOX SCORE 3-1-14
Seniors
The Bobcats said goodbye to five Bobcats seniors prior to the game. The five included Leonard Browne
(Dallas, Tex.), Bohy, Kirkpatrick,
Taylor Christensen (Phoenix), and
Jarvis Green-Smoot (Norfolk).
