(Peru, Neb.) – The hot shooting and big rebounding edge by the William Penn University (WPU) Statesmen proved to be too much for the Peru State men's basketball team to handle Friday night in the Heart of America Athletic Conference Postseason Semifinal Game.
 
The third-seeded Statesmen topped the second-seeded 'Cats 97-79 in Peru and improved to 26-6 overall. The Bobcats fell to 22-10 as William Penn won the rubber match between the two teams.
 
William Penn will face top-seeded MidAmerica Nazarene University Monday night in Olathe, Kan., for the postseason title.
 
Peru State will now have to wait until Wednesday night at 6 p.m. to determine their NAIA Division Men's Basketball Tournament fate.

 
First Half Action
 
The first ten minutes of the game was close and saw four ties and three lead changes. After the Statesmen opened with a bucket, Kris Frazier (Cleveland) connected on a pair of free throws to tie it at 2-2 at the 19:21 mark.
 
Later, at the 18:18 point in the first half, Frazier would get a bucket in the paint on an assist from Rich Shepherd (Greenville, N.C.) to give Peru State the lead. The Statesmen quickly tied it again and then Shepherd scored on a jumper to give the 'Cats a 6-4 lead.
 
Peru State's largest lead came at 16-9 when Shepherd drained a trey on an assist from Quantice Hunter (Chicago) with 13:49 left in the first half. The Bobcats would still lead at 18-15 after Josh Varney (Cape Coral, Fla.) hit a bucket in the paint on an assist from Darin Minniefield (Houston) at the 11:16 mark.
 
The game would be tied at 18-18 and 19-19 before William Penn would eventually take the lead for good with the second of two free throws with 9:49 to go in the first 20 minutes.
 
It was at that point that the Statesmen caught fire. Their first double-digit lead came at 33-23 with 5:46 to go in the half. William Penn maintained the double-digit lead the rest of the half and eventually led 49-35 at the break.
 
Second Half Action
 
William Penn would score the first six points of the second half to increase their lead to 20 at 55-35 just seconds into the stanza.
 
For most of the half, the Statesmen maintained the 20-point advantage and had their largest lead of 26 at 97-71 with just 1:46 left in the game. Peru State would score the final eight points of the game to make the final margin 97-79.

WM PENN GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 

The Statesmen made 40 of their 78 field goals for 51.3% and connected on 6 of 14 from behind the arc for 42.9%. At the free throw line, William Penn made 11 of 18 for 61.1%. Peru State made 29 of 72 field goals for 40.2% and had one of their tougher nights from long range making only 4 of 21 for 19%. At the free throw line, the 'Cats made 17 of 20 for 85%.
 
William Penn had a big rebounding edge as they grabbed 48 rebounds while Peru State had 32 boards. The Statesmen had 11 assists while the Bobcats had nine. The turnovers were nearly even as William Penn had 17 and the 'Cats made 16 miscues. Peru State blocked three shots while WPU had two. The Bobcats had eight steals and the Statesmen had seven.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Four Bobcats finished in double figures with Corday Sims (Chicago) finishing with 20 despite having a tough night shooting from the field. Sims did make 8 of 9 free throws. Frazier added 16 points while Shepherd had 15. Hunter contributed 13.
 
Frazier finished with a double double as he had a game-high 13 rebounds to lead the 'Cats. Sims added five boards.
 
Shepherd dished out three assists with Minniefield contributing two. Shepherd was credited with two blocks while Riak Bol (Omaha) had one. Sims and Hunter each led the team with two steals.
 
Upcoming Game(s)
 
It appears Peru State will receive a bid to the NAIA Men's Division I National Tournament (#NAIAShowtime). The selection show will take place Wednesday, March 9, at 6 p.m. CST via the NAIA Network.com.
 
At 6 p.m., the official 32 qualifiers will be announced as will the official bracket and times. Finally, the Top 25 Coaches' Poll will be released.
 
The national tournament is scheduled for March 16 through 22 with the championship game scheduled for 7 p.m. on the 22^nd. Eight games will be played on March 16 with another eight games played on March 17.