(Peru, Neb.) – A balanced Peru State scoring attack countered a 31-point performance by an Evangel player as the Bobcats came from ten down in the second half to win 85-79 Saturday in the Al Wheeler Activity Center.
 
The Bobcats won their fifth-straight contest to improve to 13-7 overall and more importantly to move to 7-2 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) North Division. The Crusaders fell to 5-15 overall and are now 3-6 in the Heart South Division.
 
Peru State's win keeps them in second place in the Heart North – one game behind division leading William Penn (Iowa) and one game ahead of Graceland (Iowa).
 
First Half Action
 
Evangel hit an old-fashioned three-point play to start the game before LJ Westbrook (Salem, Ore.) would tie it off an assist from Marley Biyendolo (Melbourne, Australia) at the 18:11 mark. The Crusaders would then go on an 8-0 run to lead 11-3 with the game just under the 15-minute point in the first half.

 
A three-point play by Terry Moore Jr. (Kansas City, Kan.) who scored off an assist from Biyendolo. Andre Frazier-Stanley (Los Angeles) would hit a trey coming off an assist from Nolan Cass (Spring, Texas) to cut the lead to two at 11-9. Westbrook would eventually tie the game at 11-11 off an assist from Quantice Hunter (Chicago).
 
The Crusaders would again respond and this time led by as many as 11 at 24-13 before the 'Cats would try to claw their way back into the game. With 5:10 left in the half, Peru State had pulled back within two after Moore Jr. hit a bucket after a turnover to make it 25-23.
 
Evangel would outscore Peru State 14-7 to take a nine-point lead into the halftime leading 39-30.
 
Second Half Action
 
Peru State would pull within four at the 17:51 mark as Westbrook hit a pair of free throws to make it 41-37. But, two back-to-back baskets from long range again pushed Evangel's lead to ten at 47-37.
 
With 14:23 on the clock, a basket by Biyendolo on an assist from Westbrook pulled Peru State back within one at 49-48. Once again, the Crusaders would go on a little scoring run and suddenly, Evangel led 56-48 at the 11:59 mark.
 
The 'Cats would eventually forge a tie at 63-63 after Frazier-Stanley hit a pair of free throws. The game would again be tied at 65-65 and 68-68 before Peru State went on a 9-0 run which was capped off with a three-pointer by Moore Jr. on an assist from Westbrook to lead 77-68 with 3:27 left in the game. The lead was short-lived as the Crusaders would drain three consecutive treys to knot the game at 77-77 with 1:40 on the clock.
 
Seth Snoddy (Daly City, Calif.) made one of two free throws and then Hunter added two more free throws to give the Bobcats an 80-77 lead. Westbrook would then add two more free throws and Moore Jr. added one of two to put Peru State up 83-77, but the Crusaders kept after the 'Cats.
 
Evangel would hit a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to four, but Hunter would finish the game off with a pair of free throws for the six-point win.

EVANGEL GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Peru State made 27 of 63 field goals for 42.9%, but struggled from long range as they only made 3 of 15 for 20%. At the charity stripe, the 'Cats made 28 of 35 for 80%. Evangel made 27 of 55 field goals for 49.1% and were even better from long range as they made 13 of 26 for 50%. At the free throw line, the Crusaders made 12 of 17 for 70.6%.
 

The Bobcats had a two-rebound edge as they grabbed 35 boards compared to 33 for the Crusaders. Evangel finished with one more assist as they had 16 dimes while Peru State finished with 15.
 
Evangel had 21 turnovers while the 'Cats had 12. Peru State blocked five shots while the Crusaders blocked three. The Bobcats nabbed nine steals while Evangel had two.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Four Bobcats finished in double figures while one other was just one short of double digits. Hunter led the team with 25 points while Moore Jr. added 18. Frazier-Stanley contributed 16 while Westbrook finished with 15. Snoddy was just one shy of double figures with nine points.
 
Both Hunter and Westbrook hit all of their free throws while making 11 and eight respectively.
 
Westbrook finished with a double double as he led the 'Cats with ten rebounds. Hunter added five while Snoddy, Allias Roberts-Burnett (Joliet, Ill.), Frazier-Stanley, and Noah Vasa (Nebraska City) each grabbed four rebounds.
 
Westbrook dished out a game-high seven assists with Hunter adding three and Biyendolo two. Frazier-Stanley blocked three shots while Vasa and Snoddy each added one. Hunter led the team with three steals.
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will play both of its next two contests on the road in Iowa. Wednesday night, the 'Cats will face Clarke in Dubuque, Iowa, at 7:30 p.m. The Pride are presently 9-11 on the year and are 2-7 in the Heart North having lost their last two contests – although by close margins.
 
On Saturday, Jan. 27, the Bobcats will be in Des Moines to take on Grand View at 4 p.m. The Vikings are 11-8 overall and are 4-5 in the Heart North having won their last two games over Heart South opponents.
 
The Bobcats will be back at home on Wednesday, Jan. 31, when they host Avila (Mo.) at 7:30 p.m. Between the women's and men's games, various athletic teams from Auburn High School, as well as the Calvert Elementary staff will be recognized for their recent accomplishments.