(Peru, Neb.) – A four-point lead at halftime was not enough for the Peru State men's basketball team Wednesday night. The Graceland (Iowa) Yellowjackets outscored the 'Cats by 12 in the second half on their way to an 87-79 win.
 
The 'Jackets improved to 17-8 on the season and are now 14-7 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). Peru State fell to 9-16 overall and 8-13 in the Heart.
 
First Half Action
 
A basket by Brandon Eboigbodin (Nashville) off an assist from Noah Vasa (Nebraska City) scored the first points of the contest with 18:38 left in the first half. A trey by Graceland followed to give the 'Jackets their first lead before Vasa scored in the paint off an assist from Eboigbodin. The Yellowjackets then outscored Peru State 21-10 to gain their largest lead of the first half at 24-14 with just over ten minutes left in the first 20 minutes.

 
The Bobcats would then go on an 11-0 run of their own which started with a bucket by Matej Delinac (Brampton, Ontario, Canada) off an assist from Rashad Brackeen (Oakland, Calif.) at the 8:58 mark. Eboigbodin would make one of two free throws and Delinac would get a bucket to cut the lead to 24-20. Another bucket by Eboigbodin was followed by a trey by Brackeen and suddenly Peru State led 25-24 with 6:34 left in the half.
 
The teams would trade the lead during the rest of the half with a basket by Eboigbodin, off an assist from Vasa, to put Peru State up 44-40 at halftime.
 
Second Half Action
 
After Graceland scored the first six points of the second half, Allias Roberts-Burnett (Joliet, Ill.) made one of two free throws with the 'Jackets coming back with another bucket to lead 48-45. A trey by Brackeen off an assist from Marley Biyendolo (Melbourne, Australia) knotted the game at 48-48 at the 18:19 mark. Biyendolo would follow with a hoop to give Peru State the lead.
 
The Yellowjackets would eventually take the lead for good at 51-50 at the 16:14 mark. The 'Cats kept the deficit to single digits until the 8:38 point in the second half as Graceland had extended their lead to 75-64.
 
Peru State would fight back to get within four at 80-76 after Vasa hit a bucket with 3:04 remaining in the game. That was as close as the 'Cats would get as the Yellowjackets went on for the 87-79 win.

GRACELAND GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
The Bobcats actually shot better than Graceland in the contest. Peru State made 31 of 60 field goals for 51.7% which included making 10 of 25 from behind the arc for 40%. At the free throw line, the 'Cats made 7 of 11 for 63.6%. The Yellowjackets hit 32 of 67 for 47.8% and made 11 of 28 from long range for 39.3%. From the charity stripe, Graceland made 12 of 17 for 70.6%.
 
Peru State also had a rebounding edge as they grabbed 36 boards compared to 29 for Graceland. The Bobcats finished the game with 19 assists while Graceland had 16. The difference in the contest was the 'Cats had 14 turnovers which the Yellowjackets converted into 21 points while Graceland only had five turnovers.
 
The 'Cats had two blocked shots compared to one for the 'Jackets. Graceland had ten steals while the Bobcats finished with four.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Three Bobcats finished in double figures with Eboigbodin sharing game-high honors with 24 points on 10 of 11 shooting. Brackeen added 23 points while Delinac contributed 13.
 
Eboigbodin finished the contest with a double-double as he grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds. Vasa and Biyendolo each added six boards.
 

Biyendolo dished out five assists while Vasa and Brackeen each dished out four. Eboigbodin and Vasa each blocked out shot. Brackeen led the team with two steals.
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will travel to Dubuque, Iowa, on Saturday to face Clarke at 2 p.m. The teams have very similar marks as the Crusaders are presently 9-16 overall and 7-13 in the Heart.
 
On Wednesday, Feb. 15, the 'Cats will host the 14^th-ranked Central Methodist (Mo.) Eagles. Central Methodist has dropped a pair of contests, but are 18-7 overall and 14-7 in conference play.