(Peru, Neb.) – A three-point lead by Benedictine at halftime was the final margin of the game as the Ravens men's basketball team topped Peru State 76-73 in Atchison, Kan., Wednesday night.
 
Benedictine, the 22^nd-ranked team in the NAIA DI, improved to 5-0 on the season and 1-0 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The Bobcats, who were receiving votes at the beginning of the season, fell to 2-5 overall and 0-1 in the Heart.
 
First Half Action
 
The Bobcats jumped to an early 4-0 lead off of baskets by Darwin Ellis (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Kris Frazier (Cleveland, Ohio). Frazier's bucket came after he had grabbed a defensive rebound and then was given the ball for the assist by Jamar Cannon (Inglewood, Calif.). Benedictine scored six straight points to take the lead and then Corday Sims (Chicago) drained a three-pointer to put the 'Cats back on top at 7-6 with 16:11 left in the first half.

 
Peru State's largest lead came at 15-10 after Sims hit another trey on an assist from Darin Minniefield (Houston) with 12:20 to go in the first half. The teams went back and forth with the game's first tie coming at 26-26 at the 5:16 mark. It was later tied at 30-30 with 4:08 remaining in the first 20 minutes.
 
After the Ravens took a 31-30 lead, Sims grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back in for Peru State's last lead of the half at 32-31. Benedictine would finish the half with a 9-5 run to take a 40-37 lead into the half.
 
Second Half Action
 
Benedictine moved out to a 46-40 lead before the Bobcats would claw their way back into the game. A basket by Jeff Neverson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) was followed by one by Sims to make it 46-44. A Raven free throw was followed by a pair of free throws by Connor Dukes (Plattsmouth) to cut the deficit to one at 47-46. On an assist from Neverson, Ellis hit a three to put the 'Cats on top for what would be the last time at 49-47 with 14:45 left in the game.
 
The game would later be tied at 52-52 as Ellis drained another trey to knot it up at the 12:57 mark. The Ravens would jump to a seven-point advantage at 63-56 and then 69-62 with 6:27 left. Peru State was not out of it yet as Neverson hit a two-pointer to cut the deficit to five and then Frazier cut it to three at 69-66 with 5:18 left. Frazier then made it a two-point game after making one of two free throws. A pair of free throws by Sims tied it at 69-69 with 3:27 to go in the game.

 
The game was tied again at 71-71 when Neverson put in a bucket on the fast break off an assist from Ellis with just over two minutes remaining.
 
The Ravens hit a trey before Frazier made a pair of free throws to keep it within one at 74-73 before Benedictine hit a bucket with 27 seconds left. A shot at the buzzer by Peru State missed.

BENEDICTINE GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Benedictine shot just a little better from the floor than Peru State while the Bobcats did better at the free throw line. The Ravens made 28 of 59 field goals for 47.5% which included make half of their 26 three-point attempts. The 'Cats connected on 28 of 62 field goals for 45.2% and hit 9 of 23 treys for 39.1%. Peru State did make 8 of 10 free throws for 80% while the Ravens hit 7 of 12 for 58.3%.
 
The Bobcats held a rebounding advantage at 42 to 26.  Peru State did turn the ball over almost twice as much as the Ravens as the Bobcats finished with 15 turnovers while the Benedictine had just eight. Each team had one blocked shot.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Sims led all scorers with 22 points on 8 of 16 shooting from the floor, including 4 of 7 from long range. Ellis finished with 17 points while Frazier and Neverson both finished in double figures with 13 and 11 respectively.

 
Frazier finished the game with a double-double as he had 11 boards which was a game-high total. Ellis and Neverson each added six boards.
 
Ellis led the team with four assists with Sims dishing out three. Frazier had the lone blocked shot for the Bobcats. Ellis, Neverson, and Quantice Hunter (Chicago) each had one steal.
 
Upcoming Games
 
The Bobcats will be back in Heart action on Saturday when they host Central Methodist (Mo.) at approximately 4 p.m. or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the women's game. The Eagles topped Evangel (Mo.) at home Wednesday night 92-69 to pick up their first conference win. Central Methodist is 3-2 on the season.
 
On Tuesday, the Bobcats will head to Topeka, Kan., to face NCAA DII Washburn University at 7 p.m. The Ichabods are 2-0 on the season and will host Rockhurst University before the 'Cats come to play in the Schendel Court at Lee Arena.