(Peru, Neb.) – Like their women counterparts, the Peru State men dropped a pair of close Heart of America Athletic Conference games this past Thursday and Saturday.
While playing in Lamoni, Iowa, against Graceland University, the Bobcats fell to the Yellowjackets 83-72. The 'Cats had to play on the road again on Saturday due to a water leak outside the confines of the Al Wheeler Activity Center. Peru State traveled to Marshal, Mo., and took on Missouri Valley College. The Vikings toppled the Bobcats 73-66.
With the two losses, which extended the Bobcat losing streak to three for the first time this season, Peru State fell to 8-7 overall and 2-3 in conference play.
Graceland Game and Statistical Highlights Peru State led the Yellowjackets through approximately the first seven minutes before the game was tied at 14-14 with 13:08 left in the first half. Graceland would score the next six points and then never trailed the rest of the game. The Yellowjackets built up a 15-point cushion at halftime and led 40-25.
Graceland hit a trey at the beginning of the second half giving them their largest lead of the game. Peru State battled back to within nine at 47-38 at the 13:48 mark in the second half. Later, the 'Cats would cut it to just a four-point deficit at 49-45, but that would be as close as they would get in the contest.
The Yellowjackets earned the shooting advantage from the floor while Peru State shot better at the charity stripe. Graceland was 31 of 61 in field goal shooting for 50.8% which included making 8 of 22 three-point tries for 36.4%. From the free throw line, Graceland was 13 of 21 for 61.9%.
Peru State made 28 of 65 field goal tries for 43.1% and only hit 2 of 16 from long range for 12.5%. At the charity stripe, the 'Cats went 14 of 20 for 70%.
Graceland grabbed 40 rebounds compared to the Bobcats' 37. Each team committed 16 turnovers.
Four Bobcats finished in double figures with another just two points shy.
Sean McGary (Omaha) tied for game-high honors with 21 points while leading Peru State.
David Plain (Chicago), John Ruffin (Chicago), and
Jeff Neverson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) finished with 16, 15, and 12 respectively.
Grant Leslie (Auburn) added eight points.
McGary finished the night with a double-double as he had a game-high ten rebounds. Leslie and Ruffin each added nine boards.
Plain handed out four assists with Neverson dished out three. Plain and McGary each had three steals.
GRACELAND GAME BOOK Missouri Valley Game and Statistical Highlights Peru State jumped to a 17-point halftime lead against the Vikings, but was blown out in the second half by Missouri Valley. The Vikings scored 52 points in the second half while holding the 'Cats to 28 to capture the seven-point win.
After a 2-2 tie to start the game, the Bobcats grabbed the lead with the next bucket and led by as many as 19 in the first stanza before having a 38-21 advantage at halftime.
The Vikings scored the first nine points of the second half before Peru State was able to score to regain their double-digit lead. The 'Cats led by 12 at 42-30 before Mo Valley went on a 14-2 run to tie the game at 44-44 with just over ten minutes left in the game.
The teams battled back and forth with the Bobcats still clinging to a one-point lead at 61-60 with 5:15 to go in the contest. Missouri Valley would finish the game by outscoring the 'Cats 13-5 to claim the conference win.
The Bobcats shot the ball better than Mo Valley, but still dropped the game. Peru State was 23 of 57 from the floor for 40.4%, including making 6 of 20 three-pointers for 30%. At the free throw line, the Bobcats were 14 of 18 for 77.8%.
Missouri Valley made 22 of 58 field goals for 37.9% which included making just 4 of 17 from long range for 23.5%. At the charity stripe, the Vikings were 25 of 35 for 71.4% as they shot nearly twice as many free throws.
The Vikings grabbed 40 rebounds compared to Peru State's 37. The Bobcats did commit more turnovers than Mo Valley as they had 18 while the Vikings committed 12.
Corday Sims (Chicago) led Peru State with 25 points which were game-high.
Jamar Cannon (Inglewood, Calif.) added 14 points while McGary finished with 12.
Ruffin, Neverson, and Sims each had seven rebounds. Ruffin, Plain, and Sims each dished out two assists while Ruffin, McGary, and Neverson were each credited with one steal. Sims blocked two shots with Ruffin and Leslie each blocking one.
MISSOURI VALLEY GAME BOOK Upcoming Games Peru State will look to right the ship with a pair of conference match-ups this week. On Thursday, the 'Cats will host MidAmerica Nazarene University at 7:30 p.m. or 30 minutes following the finish of the women's game. Presently, the Pioneers are 3-11 overall and are 2-3 in conference play.
Then, on Saturday, the Bobcats will be travelling to Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo., for a 4 p.m. contest. The Wildcats are currently 7-8 overall and 2-2 in the Heart.
