(Peru, Neb.) – The hot-shooting Wildcat men of Culver-Stockton College jumped to a big lead in the first half and it was too much for the Bobcats to overcome. Culver-Stockton led 53-36 at halftime on its way to a 105-85 victory over Peru State in front of the alumni chili feed crowd on Saturday.
With the win, the Wildcats improved to 14-13 overall and 9-7 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. Peru State fell to 16-11 on the season and is also 9-7 in conference play.
The two teams are currently tied for fourth in the Heart, but the Wildcats hold the tiebreaker over Peru State as they swept the season series. All teams in the conference have two games remaining which will determine the post-season tournament action. Only Evangel University has wrapped up the top spot and will host throughout the tournament as long as they win.
Corday Sims goes for two early in the game. Sims tied for game-
high scoring honors with 31. Game Action Peru State's only lead of the game came at the very beginning of the action as
Jeff Neverson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) hit a field goal on an assist from
Phillip Jackson (Chicago). The Wildcats would reel off the next ten straight points and never trailed the rest of the contest. Peru State did get back to within four on a pair of free throws by Jackson, followed by a basket by
Corday Sims (Chicago) on an assist from
David Plain (Chicago), but that would as close as the Bobcats would be the rest of the game.
Culver-Stockton would lead by as many as 22 in the first half at 49-27 before Peru State would cut the deficit to 17 at halftime as the Wildcats led 53-36.
The Wildcats started the second half in a similar fashion and built their lead to 31 at 75-44 before Peru State would slowly whittle away at the deficit.
A pair of Plain free throws near the end of the game cut the lead to 103-85, an 18-point deficit, but that would be as close as it would get as the Wildcats would get a bucket to close out the win.
Team Statistics Culver-Stockton made 33 of 59 field goals for 55.9% which included making 7 of 19 three-point attempts for 36.8%. From the free throw line, the Wildcats were 32 of 36 of 88.9%.
The Bobcats connected on 25 of 63 field goals for 39.7%. From long range, Peru State was 7 of 15 for 46.7%. At the charity stripe, Peru State made 28 of 35 for 80%.
The Wildcats had a big rebounding margin as they grabbed 37 rebounds compared to Peru State's 22.
Peru State had 14 turnovers while Culver-Stockton finished the game with 17 miscues.
Jeff Neverson grabs a rebound.
Neverson led Peru State with
five boards. Individual Statistics Four Bobcats finished in double figures with Sims tying for game-high honors with 31 points. Plain added 17 points with Jackson contributing 13. Cannon added ten points.
Neverson grabbed five rebounds while Cannon and
Jarrell Williams (Omaha) each had four.
Plain led the team with two assists. Sims had a game-high four steals with Jackson nabbing three. Jackson was credited with two blocked shots.
CULVER-STOCKTON GAME BOOK Upcoming Games With two games remaining in the regular season, only two things are known for sure in the men's conference race. Evangel University will definitely be the top seed and Baker University and Graceland University will be the bottom two seeds. The remaining seven teams are closely bunched with two teams at 10-6, two teams at 9-7, and three teams with 8-8 marks. So, the final two games of the regular season will determine the final standings and who will host post-season tournament contests.
Peru State will be hosting Baker University on Thursday night for Senior Night. Game time is scheduled for approximately 7:30 p.m. Currently, Baker is currently 9-17 overall and is 3-13 in conference play. The Wildcats will either be ninth or tenth at the send of the season.
Prior to the start of the game, Peru State will recognize Bobcat seniors
Sean McGary (Omaha), Jackson,
Brett Pierce (St. Joseph, Mo.), and
Tokie Aromona (Kansas City, Mo.). On Saturday, the Bobcats will travel to Central Methodist University in Fayette, Mo. The Eagles are one of the three teams tied with 8-8 marks and are presently 18-10 overall. This past week, the Eagles were receiving votes in the NAIA DI Coaches' 25 poll, but most likely will drop out as they lost their two contests this past week.
