(Peru, Neb.) – After leading for most of the second half, the Peru State men's basketball team found themselves tied at the end of regulation forcing overtime with Culver-Stockton College (C-SC) in Canton, Mo., on Saturday afternoon.
In the overtime, the Wildcats outscored Peru State 23-15 to take the 109-101 Heart of America Athletic Conference victory. With the win, Culver-Stockton improved to 8-9 overall and 3-3 in the Heart. The 'Cats fell to 9-8 overall and 3-4 in conference play.
Game Action C-SC scored the first points of the game, but
Corday Sims (Chicago) grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back in to tie it at 2-2 with 19:01 left in the first 20 minutes.
The Wildcats would score the next four points, but buckets by Sims and then
Phillip Jackson (Chicago) off an assist from
Sean McGary (Omaha) tied the game again at 6-6 at the 17:15 mark.
Jamar Cannon (Inglewood, Calif.) would hit a trey for the Bobcats which was followed by a bucket by
John Ruffin (Chicago) making it 11-6 Peru State. But, that was short-lived as the Wildcats tied it at 11-11 with 15:07 left in the first half.
The teams would continue to trade leads throughout the first half as the game was tied at 19-19 and later at 46-46. In between that time, Peru State would have an eight-point lead at 37-29 after Sims had hit another field goal.
The Bobcats would break the 46-46 tie as Sims hit the second of two free throws and then Cannon would hit another three at the halftime buzzer to put the 'Cats on top 50-46 after the first 20 minutes.
Peru State would maintain the lead in the second 20 minutes and led by as many as ten at 71-61 as McGary hit a bucket in the paint with 8:38 left in the contest.
Culver-Stockton would fight their way back into the contest and eventually tied it at 84-84 with 1:09 remaining. A bucket by Jackson would break the tie, but, the Wildcats would hit a pair of free throws to send the game into overtime.
The Wildcats would score the first eight points in OT and Peru State would never be able to cut that lead to less than four.
Team Statistics The teams had very similar shooting statistics. Culver-Stockton was slightly better from the field as they made 35 of 74 field goal tries for 47.3% which included making 11 of 29 three-pointers for 37.9%. Both teams made 77.8% of their free throw tries, but the Wildcats went to the line nine more times and went 28 of 36.
Peru State made 35 of 78 field goals for 44.9%, including hitting 10 of 23 from long range for 43.5%. At the charity stripe, the 'Cats hit 21 of 27 for 77.8%.
The Wildcats did grab seven more rebounds than Peru State and won the battle, 48 to 41. Peru State did commit one more turnover than C-SC as the Bobcats had 13 with the Wildcats finishing with 12.
Individual Statistics Sims had a Bobcat career-high and game-high 38 points which included making 17 of 18 free throws. The 38 points were the most in a game for the Heart this season.
Jackson and
David Plain (Chicago) also finished in double figures for Peru State. Jackson had 22 points on 9 of 15 shooting from the floor while Plain added 14 points.
Jackson led Peru State with nine rebounds with Sims adding eight. Ruffin and Cannon each grabbed six boards.
Plain dished out a game-high nine assists with McGary contributing four. Plain and
Grant Leslie (Auburn) each had two steals. Jackson and Sims each blocked two shots with Leslie adding one block.
CULVER-STOCKTON GAME BOOK Upcoming Games This week is the National Basketball Coaches Association's Coaches vs. Cancer Week which includes the Suits and Sneakers weekend.
On Monday, Peru State will be hosting Grace University in a non-conference game which is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. or approximately 30 minutes following the conclusion of the women's game. Presently, the Royals are 8-12 and are on a three-game losing streak.
During Monday's game, Peru State's Student Athlete Advisory Council will be giving people an opportunity to honor someone who either dealt with or is dealing with cancer by making a donation for a sneaker which will adorn the Al Wheeler Activity Center throughout the week.
Baker University will host Peru State on Thursday in Baldwin City, Kan., at 7:30 p.m. The Wildcats are 7-10 overall and 1-6 in the Heart having lost five in a row – all in conference play.
The 'Cats will host Central Methodist University on Saturday at 4 p.m. Presently, the Eagles are 12-5 overall and 4-3 in conference play. Central Methodist stopped a two-game losing streak on Saturday with a win over MidAmerica Nazarene.
On Saturday, it will be the Suits and Sneakers portion of the Coaches vs. Cancer week as both teams' coaches will don their suits and wear sneakers with them.
