(Peru, Neb.) – Neither team had a lead larger than ten in the game.  However, the ten-point cushion Benedictine College built in the second half on Thursday at Peru State proved to be too much for the Bobcats to overcome.
 
 

The seventh-ranked Ravens held on to win 63-59 after outscoring Peru State by five in the second half.  With the win, Benedictine improved to 19-3 overall and 8-2 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.  One of those two conference losses came at the hands of the Bobcats in Benedictine in December.  Peru State fell to 12-9 overall and 5-5 in the Heart.
 
Game Action
 
After Benedictine scored the opening bucket, Sean McGary (Omaha) tied it up for Peru State at the 19:17 mark.  Later, a trey by Corday Sims (Chicago) would give the 'Cats a 5-2 lead.
 
Seven consecutive points by Benedictine gave the Ravens a 9-5 lead. Peru State would eventually tie the game at 11-11 on a Grant Leslie (Auburn) hoop on an assist from David Plain (Chicago) with 14:04 left in the first half.
 
Benedictine would again go up by four before a bucket by Jeff Neverson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and a pair of free throws by McGary would knot the game at 15-15 with just over ten minutes left in the half.
 
The game would be tied again at 20-20 and 21-21 before a bucket by Neverson on an assist from McGary, followed by a Jamar Cannon (Inglewood, Calif.) three-pointer, gave the 'Cats their largest lead of the game at 26-21 with 4:33 left in the first 20 minutes.
 
The Ravens would cut into Peru State's lead before the half, but the Bobcats still led 26-25.
 
Benedictine would start the second half by scoring the first four points and then never trailed the remainder of the game.  The Ravens would build their lead to ten at 40-30 with 13:17 left in the game.  They would still have a ten-point advantage at 47-37 with just over ten minutes remaining.

 
The Bobcats did not give up at that point as they battled to get within two at 60-58 after Neverson converted a pair of free throws with 58 seconds left.  After Benedictine made one of two free throws, the 'Cats missed an opportunity to tie the game.
 
However, Benedictine was called for an offensive foul after grabbing an offensive rebound, giving Peru State hope.  Sims would make the second of two free throws to cut it to 61-59, but the Bobcats would have to foul and the Ravens converted both to seal the 63-59 win.
 
Team Statistics
 
Peru State actually had better shooting percentages than the Ravens in the game.  The Bobcats made 19 of 45 field goals for 42.2% while making 4 of 15 three-pointers for 26.7%.  At the free throw line, the 'Cats were 17 of 23 of 73.9%.
 
The Ravens made 19 of 47 for 40.4% which included hitting just 3 of 18 from long range for 16.7%.  At the free throw line, Benedictine was 22 of 36 for 61.1%.
 
The Bobcats did have the rebounding edge as they grabbed 34 boards compared to 24 for Benedictine.  Peru State did commit more turnovers as they had 18 while the Ravens committed 12 miscues.  The biggest difference in the game was that Peru State was whistled for ten more fouls and saw their three big men foul out.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Three Bobcats finished in double figures.  Sims led Peru State with 14 points while Cannon added 12 and McGary ten.
 
 

Sims had a game-high nine boards, just one short of finishing the game with a double-double.  Neverson grabbed seven rebounds.
 
McGary dished out two assists with Sims leading the team with two steals.  Leslie blocked two shots in the contest.

BENEDICTINE GAME BOOK
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will be on the road on Saturday against Evangel University in Springfield, Mo.  Currently, the Crusaders are 14-7 overall and are on top of the Heart with 9-1 record.  Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m. or approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the women's game.
 
The Bobcats will then have one week off before hitting the road again for a conference game at Avila University in Kansas City, Mo. Presently, the Eagles are 10-10 overall and 4-6 in conference play.  Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.