(Peru, Neb.) – It came down to the last few seconds, but a
Corday Sims'
(Chicago) jumper with less than a second left on the clock gave Peru State an 81-80 victory over Avila University on Saturday.
With the win, the Bobcats improved to 14-9 overall and 7-5 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The 14 wins are the most since before the 2003-04 season when that team won 13 contests. Currently, the Bobcats are tied for fourth in the Heart standings.
Corday Sims hits a jumper in the
first half. Sims hit the game-
winning shot and finished
with 22 points.Avila fell to 12-11 overall and 6-7 in conference action.
Game Action Peru State built big leads in both halves of the ballgame only to see the Eagles fight back. There were nine ties and 13 lead changes in the game.
The Eagles scored the first bucket of the game but a
Sean McGary (Omaha) trey gave Peru State its first lead at the 19:03 mark. On the next Peru State possession,
Jeff Neverson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) hit a bucket on an assist from
Brett Pierce (St. Joseph, Mo.). After the game was tied for the first time at 9-9 with 16:55 left in the first half, the Bobcats went on a 13-2 run which was capped off by a Sims three-pointer. The 'Cats led 22-11 with 13:45 to go in the first stanza.
Avila would fight its way back to a 25-25 tie with just over nine minutes left in the first 20 minutes. Again, the Bobcats would go up by as many as six before the game was later tied at the 2:12 mark at 38-38. Peru State would eventually take a 42-40 lead at the intermission.
In the second half, the 'Cats would again go up by six at 46-40 before they found themselves tied again at 50-50. After the game was tied at 62-62, the eighth tie of the game, Peru State would put in the next 12 points and led 74-62 after
Phillip Jackson (Chicago) hit a bucket in the paint at the 6:22 mark.
Again, the Eagles showed they had some fight as they clawed their way back into the game and eventually tied it at 76-76 with 58 ticks left on the clock. Avila would take the lead after hitting the second of two free throws.
Sims would put Peru State back on top 78-77 with 33 seconds left and extended it to 79-77 by completing the three-point play. With eight ticks left, Avila would drain a trey to regain the lead at 80-79.
The Eagles would call a timeout which gave both teams time to set their final plays. Peru State was able to get the ball in Sims' hands and with less than a second on the clock, Sims drained a jumper to put the 'Cats on top 81-80. The Eagles got off an errant shot and Peru State claimed the victory in Kansas City.
Phillip Jackson hits a jumper late in the game. Jackson finished the game with 17 points.Team Statistics Both teams shot the ball well during the game. Peru State made 28 of 52 field goals for 53.8%, including hitting 7 of 18 three-point attempts for 38.9%. At the free throw line, the Bobcats made 18 of 30 for 60%.
Avila hit 26 of 51 field goals for 51%, but was even better from long range. The Eagles connected on 11 of 19 three-point tries for 57.9%. Avila was 17 of 22 at the charity stripe for 77.3%.
Grant Leslie battles for a rebound early
in the game Peru State had a rebounding edge as they grabbed 29 boards compared to the Eagles' 24. Both teams had trouble handling the ball as the 'Cats had 16 turnovers while Avila committed 17.
Individual Statistics Four Bobcats finished in double figures and were led by Sims who finished with 25 points. Sims hit 9 of 15 field goals for 60%.
Jackson added 17 points which
Jamar Cannon (Inglewood, Calif.) added 15. McGary finished the night with 11 points on 5 of 7 shooting.
Sims had a game-high eight rebounds while Jackson added seven.
Pierce and McGary each dished out two assists. Neverson had a game high two steals.
AVILA GAME BOOK Upcoming Games Peru State has two crucial games this week with both being at home. Graceland University will be the opponent Thursday night in a game scheduled to start at approximately 7:30 p.m. The Yellowjackets are presently 5-17 overall and 2-11 in conference play. The Bobcats will look to avenge a loss earlier in the season at Graceland.
On Saturday afternoon, the Missouri Valley College Vikings will be the opponent at approximately 4 p.m. Currently, the Vikings are 14-8 overall and 8-4 in the conference, just one game ahead of the 'Cats in the standings. Peru State will look to get the season split with the Vikings in this contest after falling earlier on the road in Marshall, Mo.
