(Peru, Neb.) – The Royals from Grace University kept the game close throughout the first 26+ minutes before the Bobcats started to pull away for an 87-68 victory on Monday night.
With the win, Peru State improved to 10-8 on the season while Grace fell to 8-13. This was the last non-conference action for the 'Cats for the 2014-15 season. The tenth win for Peru State exceeds last year's
Corday Sims grabs a rebound in the first half. Sims finished with a game-
high 27 points and had a double-double as he had 11 boards.win total of nine.
Game Action The game was tied four times in the first half with neither team leading by more than eight.
Grace scored the first four points of the contest before
Phillip Jackson (Chicago) made a field goal on an assist from
Sean McGary (Omaha) at the 18:58 mark of the first half. After Grace scored another point on a free throw,
Corday Sims (Chicago) hit a bucket to make it 5-4. After a turnover and a deadball rebound which went to the 'Cats, Sims nailed a three on an assist from McGary to give Peru State its first lead of the half at 7-5 with 16:34 left in the half.
Peru State built its lead to 17-9 and 20-12 before the Royals scored eight straight points to tie it at 20-20 with 11:02 go in the half. Grace would actually take the lead with another bucket, but a field goal by Sims knotted it at 22-22 with 9:50 left.
It would be about two minutes later when Peru State would take the lead for good on another Sims bucket to lead 27-26. The closest the Royals would get the remainder of the game would be one point which occurred with just a little over five minutes left in the half.
At the intermission, the 'Cats led 42-37.
After Jackson hit the first two points of the second half, Grace scored four points to cut it to three, which was as close as they would be in the second stanza.
Sean McGary slams one home in the second
half. McGary finished with 17 points and five
assists. At the 14:09 mark in the second 20 minutes, Peru State took a double-digit lead for good at 56-46 as Jackson completed an old-fashioned three-point play.
Peru State built its lead to 26 at 83-57 with about four minutes left for the largest lead of the game.
Team Statistics Both teams shot the ball well from the floor. Peru State finished the game by hitting 32 of 64 field goal tries for 50% which included hitting 5 of 18 from long range for 27.8%. From the charity stripe, the 'Cats were 18 of 26 for 69.2%.
The Royals finished the game making 24 of 58 field goals for 41.4% and they shot better from three-point range than Peru State by making 6 of 21 for 28.6%. Grace connected on 15 of 24 free throws for 62.5%.
Peru State held a big rebounding edge as they grabbed 44 boards compared to the Royals' 28. Both teams had more turnovers than they would like as the 'Cats had 19 and Grace finished with 21.
Individual Statistics Four players from both teams finished in double figures with Sims having a game-high 27 points to lead Peru State. Jackson added 18 points with McGary finishing with 17. Ruffin contributed ten points.
Ruffin and Sims both finished with double-doubles as they had 12 and 11 rebounds respectively.
Phil Jackson grabs a rebound
and does go back up to score.
Jackson finished the game
with 18 points.McGary dished out five assists with Sims adding three. McGary, Sims, and
Brett Pierce (St. Joseph, Mo.) each had two steals. Jackson finished the game with three blocked shots while Ruffin and
Grant Leslie (Auburn) each had one.
GRACE GAME BOOK Upcoming Games Peru State will return to conference action on Thursday night as they take on Heart of America Athletic Conference foe Baker University in Baldwin City, Kan. Currently, the Wildcats are 7-10 overall and 1-6 in the Heart. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. or approximately 30 minutes following the women's contest is over.
On Saturday, Jan. 27, both the men's and women's teams will be participating in the Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneaker Weekend when Central Methodist University visits the confines of the Al Wheeler Activity Center. Coaches from both teams will wear their sneakers, along with their suits, in support of the National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA) work with the American Cancer Society. Game time with the Eagles, who are currently 12-5 overall and 4-3 in the conference, is scheduled for 4 p.m.
There will be no gate for Saturday's games. However, those in attendance will be encouraged to give a freewill donation which will be given to the NBCA, which in turn, will donate to the American Cancer Society,
SAAC, the College's Student Athlete Advisory Council, will also be doing a split-the-pot to help contribute to the cause.
