(Peru, Neb.) – A game-tying three-point shot by
David Plain (Chicago) with less than one second left in regulation play put the Peru State men's basketball team into overtime after trailing for the majority of the game. Then, with it was Plain again at the end of overtime who sank a pair of free throws to give the Bobcats an 85-84 victory over the visiting Graceland University Yellowjackets.
With the win, the 'Cats improved to 15-9 overall and 8-5 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. Peru State's win, combined with losses by Missouri Valley College and Central Methodist University, put the Bobcats into a tie for third with Missouri Valley. The Vikings, who have lost their last two games, will be Peru State's opponent on Saturday.
Sean McGary shoots between three Graceland defenders.
McGary led all scorers with 27 points. Graceland fell to 2-12 in the Heart and 5-18 overall.
Game Action Jeff Neverson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) put Peru State up early at 2-0 on an assist from Plain. After Graceland made one of two free throws,
Sean McGary (Omaha) hit a bucket to make it 4-1 at the 18:48 mark.
The Yellowjackets then scored the next eight points to take a 9-4 lead. Back-to-back treys by
Corday Sims (Chicago) and Plain gave the lead back to the 'Cats at 10-9.
The game would then be tied at 15-15, 18-18, and 20-20 before the 'Jackets would outscore Peru State 8-2 to take their largest lead at 28-22 with 7:48 left in the first half. A field goal by McGary and a pair of free throws by
Grant Leslie (Auburn) would cut the deficit to two, but that would be as close as Peru State would be the rest of the first half.
Graceland would go on a 14-4 run to end the half with a 12-point cushion at 42-30.
Peru State started the second half with a three-pointer by
Jamar Cannon (Inglewood, Calif.) and field goals by Neverson and McGary to get within five at 42-37. But the Yellowjackets responded and moved their lead back out to 13 twice at 57-44 and 60-47 with 12:55 left in the game.
When things looked bleak for Peru State that is when the Bobcats started to slowly claw their way back into the game.
The 'Cats pulled back within three after Plain hit a pair of free throws with 7:18 left making it 62-59. But Graceland would not fold as they eventually went back up by eight at 71-63 with just over three minutes left in the game.
Jeff Neverson grabs one of his game-high
14 rebounds.A pair of free throws by McGary would pull the Bobcats back to just a two-point deficit at 71-69 at the 1:02 mark in the game. Graceland would make three of four free throws to go back up by five at 74-69 with 36 ticks left on the clock.
Jarrell Williams (Omaha) hit a three with 27 seconds left and Peru State fouled the Yellowjackets on the next possession. After making one of two free throws, Graceland still led 75-72 with less than 20 seconds left. Eventually, Plain would grab a missed three-point attempt and put up a shot with one second left on the clock to force overtime.
Overtime Action Graceland took the initial lead in the overtime on a pair of free throws. Williams responded with a trey which was followed by a basket by McGary to give Peru State a three-point cushion at 80-77 with four minutes to go in OT.
After the Yellowjackets hit a field goal, Plain responded with a bucket of his own. Another Graceland field goal got the 'Jackets back to within one at 82-81. McGary then made the second of two free throws putting Peru State up by a bucket at 83-81 with 26 seconds left.
A Graceland player brought the ball down the court and was fouled while making a bucket and eventually completed the old-fashioned three-point play to make it Yellowjackets 84-83 with four seconds remaining.
Peru State called a timeout to set up their last play. After getting the ball in and down the court, Plain went for a shot and was fouled with .4 of a second left on the clock. Plain drained both free throws to put Peru State up 85-84. A long pass by the Yellowjackets was knocked away to preserve the Peru State win.
Team Statistics Graceland actually shot the ball better from the floor than Peru State, but the Bobcats excelled at the free throw line.
The Yellowjackets made 27 of 66 field goal attempts for 40.9% which included making 9 of 19 three-point tries for 47.4%. From the charity stripe, Graceland was 21 of 30 for 70%.
Peru State connected on 29 of 75 shots from the field for 38.7% and made 10 of 31 from long range for 32.3%. The 'Cats were nearly perfect at the free throw line making 17 of 18 for 94.4%.
David Plain goes to the hoop for two of his
Bobcat career-high 17 points The Bobcats out-rebounded Graceland 45 to 39. Turnovers were nearly even as Graceland committed 17 while the 'Cats finished with one more.
Individual Statistics Four Bobcats finished in double figures and were led by McGary who finished with a game- and career-high 27 points. McGary hit 10 of 17 field goals and was 7 of 8 from the free throw line.
Plain added 17 points, also a career Bobcat high, while Sims and Cannon finished with 11 and ten respectively.
McGary finished with a double-double as he grabbed 12 boards. Neverson had 14 game-high rebounds.
Plain and Neverson each dished out three assists while McGary and Williams each had three steals.
Grant Leslie (Auburn) had a game-high three blocked shots while McGary also had one blocked shot.
GRACELAND GAME BOOK Upcoming Games Peru State will be hosting a Valentine's Day game against Missouri Valley College. The Vikings are 14-9 overall and have the same conference mark as Peru State as they have dropped their last two contests. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.
On Thursday, the 'Cats will travel to MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kan. The Pioneers, who the Bobcats defeated earlier in the season, are 6-7 in conference play and 7-15 overall. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
