(Peru, Neb.) – After it was a one-point game with six minutes to go in the first half, the Graceland Yellowjackets flew to an 11-point lead at halftime and never looked back in their 102-74 win over the visiting Peru State men's basketball team.
 
The 'Jackets are having one of their better seasons in many years are currently 10-3 overall and 7-2 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). Peru State fell to 5-8 overall and 4-5 in the Heart.

 
First Half Action
 
The first 14 minutes of the half were back and forth as the Yellowjackets would gain leads only to see the Bobcats fight back to either tie it up or make it close. After Graceland led 10-3, a three-pointer by B.J. Day (Lincoln) off an assist from Marley Biyendolo (Melbourne, Australia) cut the deficit to 10-6 with 16:54 left in the first half. The Yellowjackets would score a bucket to go up 12-6, but Day would respond with a two-pointer to make it 12-8. Later, Rashad Brackeen (Oakland, Calif.) cut the lead to 12-10 with a bucket and then followed up with another hoop to tie it at 12-12 with 15:22 to go off an assist from Day.
 
Graceland would then go on a 10-0 run to lead 22-12 before Peru State would start to claw its way back into the game. With 6:18 left in the half, Brackeen hit a bucket off an assist from Lyle Hexom (Omaha) to make it 26-25 Yellowjackets. That would be as close as the 'Cats would be the remainder of the contest as the 'Jackets led 47-36 at halftime.
 
Second Half Action
 
Graceland would extend its lead to more than 20 with 14:52 left in the game at 68-46. With 4:51 left in the contest, the Yellowjackets had a 30-point lead at 92-62 and eventually went on to the 102-74 win.

GRACELAND BOX SCORE
 
Team Statistics
 

The Yellowjackets were extremely hot as they made 38 of 67 for 56.7% which included making 15 of 31 three-point tries for 48.4%. The only place Graceland struggled shooting-wise was at the free throw line as they make 11 of 22 tries. Peru State hit 27 of 69 field goals for 39.1%, but were extremely chilly from behind the arc hitting only 4 of 33 tries for 12.1%. The Bobcats did make 16 of 22 free throws for 72.7%.
 
Peru State did have a slight rebounding edge as they grabbed 42 boards compared to 39 for Graceland. The 'Jackets had 21 assists compared to just 12 for the Bobcats. The Yellowjackets committed just eight turnovers while the Bobcats had 13.
 
The 'Cats blocked four shots while Graceland blocked one. The Yellowjackets nabbed eight steals with Peru State having two.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Three Bobcats finished in double figures and were led by Hexom with 16. Matej Delinac (Brampton, Ontario, Canada) had 13 while Brackeen finished with 12.
 
Noah Vasa (Nebraska City) led the team with seven rebounds while Hexom added six.
 
Brackeen and Day each dished out three assists while Hexom and Biyendolo each finished with two. Hexom blocked three shots while Biyendolo blocked one. Delinac and Brandon Reed (Omaha) each were credited with one steal.
 
Upcoming Games
 

Peru State will play four Heart match-ups in the next ten days starting with a home contest on Saturday against Baker (Kan.). The Wildcats are 7-6 overall and 4-5 in the Heart and have won their last two games. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.
 
On Monday, Jan. 9, the 'Cats will be taking on Central Methodist in Fayette, Mo., at 7:30 p.m. The Eagles are 8-5 overall and 5-3 in conference play.
 
Then, on Thursday, Jan. 12, the Bobcats will be in Kansas City, Mo., when they face Avila at 7:30 p.m. The Eagles are 1-12 overall and 1-8 in the Heart.
 
On Saturday, Jan. 14, Peru State will host league newcomer Mount Mercy (Iowa) in a game beginning at 2 p.m. the Mustangs are 7-5 overall and 6-3 in conference play.