(Peru, Neb.) – It was NCAA DII week for the Peru State men's basketball team with the first two contest being exhibitions. However, in its lone game which counted, the Bobcats topped Concordia-St. Paul (C-SP) 85-73 with a comeback in the second half.
 
With the win, Peru State improved to 4-5 while the Golden Bears fell to 2-3 on the season.
 
First Half Action
 

A jumper by Kris Frazier (Cleveland, Ohio) on an assist from Jeff Neverson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) got things going for the 'Cats just 19 seconds into the game. Another jumper by Frazier made it 4-0 before the Golden Bears got on the board with a free throw.
 
Neverson would get on the scoreboard after grabbing an offensive rebound and then, on an assist from Corday Sims (Chicago), would drain a three-pointer with 18:01 left in the half. At that point, the Bobcats led 9-1.
 
Peru State would hold onto that lead while C-SP cut away at the deficit and eventually took their first lead at 17-16 with just over ten minutes left in the half. Sims would follow with a trey to put the Bobcats back up 19-17, but the Golden Bears would tie it on their next possession.
 
The 'Cats went back out by seven at 28-21 after Quantice Hunter (Chicago) drained a three with 7:08 remaining in the first 20 minutes. The Golden Bears would eventually regain the lead at 32-31 and then went on to lead at halftime 40-34.
 
Second Half Action
 
C-SP would score the first bucket of the second half to lead by eight.

 
Frazier would score the first points of the second half for Peru State with a layup at the 18:45 mark. Later, Neverson grabbed another offensive rebound and put it back in and with 18:18 left in the game, Peru State was back within four at 42-38.
 
Connor Dukes (Plattsmouth) would make one of two free throws and then drained a trey to tie it at 42-42 at the 17:10 mark. The Golden Bears would go back on top, but Frazier would tie it again, this time with an assist from Hunter.
 
C-SP would go up by three at 47-44 with 15:34 to go in the second half. Another trey, this time by Darwin Ellis (Brooklyn, N.Y.) would tie it at the 15:16 point in the second stanza. Almost a minute later, another trey by Ellis would put the Bobcats on top for what would be for good in the game.
 
For the rest of the game, Peru State would lead by as many as 14 at 82-68 with 2:05 left in the contest after Ellis hit a pair of free throws before going on for the 12-point win.

CONCORDIA-ST. PAUL BOX SCORE
 
Team Statistics
 
Peru State made 28 of 64 field goals for 43.8% which included 12 of 24 shooting from behind the arc for 50%. At the free throw line, the Bobcats went 17 of 26 for 65.4%. The Golden Bears made 25 of 62 field goals for 40.3% but struggled from long range as they made only 2 of 13 for 15.4%. C-SP was slightly better at the charity stripe than the 'Cats as they made 21 of 31 for 67.7%.
 

The Golden Bears grabbed three more rebounds than Peru State, 44 to 41. The teams were nearly even in turnovers as C-SP had 12 while the 'Cats had just 11. The Golden Bears blocked seven shots with the Bobcats blocking four.
 
Individual Statistics
 
The Bobcats had a very balanced scoring attack in the win as five players scored in double figures. Neverson led the team with 19 points while shooting 7 of 9 from the floor, including 4 of 5 from long range. Ellis added 15 while Frazier, Sims, and Hunter each scoring 14.
 
Neverson finished with a double-double as he had a game-high ten rebounds with Frazier and Hunter each grabbing eight boards.
 
Ellis dished out five assists with Neverson and Hunter each adding three. Riak Bol (Omaha) blocked two shots with Frazier and Ellis each being credited with one. Frazier and Ellis each had three steals while Sims and Neverson each had two.
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will finish the first semester with three Heart of America Athletic match-ups. This Wednesday, the Bobcats will host a much-improved Graceland (Iowa) team at approximately 7:30 p.m. The Yellowjackets are 7-3 overall and are 2-0 in the Heart.
 
Then, the Bobcats will be on the road the following two Saturdays. On Dec. 5, the 'Cats will travel to face William Penn in Oskaloosa, Iowa, at 4 p.m. The Statesmen are 8-1 and also are 2-0 in the Heart.
 
On Saturday, Dec. 12, Peru State will travel to Canton, Mo., to take on the Culver-Stockton Wildcats. Presently, the Wildcats are 4-3 and are 2-0 in conference play.