(Peru, Neb.) – A late surge by Mount Mercy to finish the first half put the Peru State men's basketball at a 23-point deficit in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Saturday. While the Bobcats played the Mustangs almost even in the second half, it was not enough as the 'Cats fell 96-74.
 
Mount Mercy improved to 19-10 on the season and 18-8 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) and finished the regular season tied for second in the conference. Peru State fell to 13-17 overall and 12-14 in the Heart. The Bobcats finished ninth in the regular season and will face Baker (Kan.) in a play-in game next Tuesday in the conference tournament.
 
First Half Action
 
Matej Delinac (Brampton, Ontario, Canada) hit a jumper to start the game for Peru State. The Mustangs scored the next four points to take a 4-2 lead before Rashad Brackeen (Oakland, Calif.) hit a bucket to tie it at 4-4 with 16:41 left in the first half. A bucket by Brandon Eboigbodin (Nashville) put the 'Cats up 6-4.

 
Later, Peru State had a four-point lead at 15-11 after Eboigbodin hit a bucket in the paint off an assist from Allias Roberts-Burnett (Joliet, Ill.) with 13:29 left in the first 20 minutes. The Mustangs would go on a 9-0 run to lead 20-15 and never trailed after that point.
 
Marley Biyendolo (Melbourne, Australia) hit a bucket on the next possession to stop the Mount Mercy run, but the three-point deficit would get Peru State as close as they would be the rest of the contest.
 
A 32-12 run by Mount Mercy would give the Mustangs a 52-29 lead at halftime.
 
Second Half Action
 
Mount Mercy would lead by 20 or more most of the second half. Peru State would pull to within 14 at 71-57 after Brackeen hit a bucket off an assist from Delinac with 11:09 left in the game. After the Mustangs hit a bucket, Brackeen hit a trey to make it 73-60, but the 13-point deficit was as close as the Bobcats would be the rest of the contest.
 
Team Statistics
 
The Mustangs made 35 of 70 field goals for 50% which included making 11 of 29 three-point tries for 37.9%. At the charity stripe, Mount Mercy made 15 of 17 for 88.2%. Peru State made 29 of 77 for 37.7% and struggled from long range making just 3 of 22 for 13.6%. The 'Cats made 13 of 20 free throws for 65%.
 
Mount Mercy had a slight rebounding edge as they grabbed 47 boards compared to 42 for Peru State. The Mustangs dished out 22 assists while Peru State finished with 12. The turnovers were nearly even as the Bobcats finished with 12 and the Mustangs had 13.
 
The Mustangs blocked three shots and had seven steals. Peru State had one blocked shot and five steals.

MOUNT MERCY GAME BOOK
 
Individual Statistics
 
The two Bobcat seniors finished in double figures with Delinac finishing with 16 points while Brackeen added 14. Biyendolo finished with eight points.

 
Noah Vasa (Nebraska City) had a game-high seven rebounds with Biyendolo and Roberts-Burnett each grabbing five. Biyendolo and B.J. Day (Lincoln) each dished out three assists with Roberts-Burnett and Delinac each contributing two.
 
Biyendolo was credited for the lone blocked shot. Five different Bobcats were each credited with one steal.
 
Upcoming Contest
 
Peru State will be heading to Baldwin City, Kan., on Tuesday to face Baker in a play-in game for the Heart Post-Season Tournament. The Wildcats pulled off a mild upset Saturday when they defeated #24 Grand View at home to secure the eighth seed in the tourney which gave them the right to host. Baker finished the regular season with a 16-14 overall record and were 13-13 in the Heart. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
 
With a win, the 'Cats would travel to Oskaloosa, Iowa, on Thursday for a quarter-final matchup with Heart regular-season winner William Penn at 7 p.m. The Statesmen, currently ranked second in the NAIA DI, finished the season with a 27-3 mark and were 23-3 in conference action.