(Peru, Neb.) – The Peru State men's basketball team had five players scoring in double figures in route to their sixth-straight win as they topped Clarke Wednesday night in Dubuque, Iowa.
 
The Bobcats topped the Pride 97-89 to improve to 14-7 overall and more importantly 8-2 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) North Division. The 14 wins is already two more wins that the 2017-18 team finished with last season. Clarke fell to 9-12 on the season and are now 2-18 in conference play in the North Division.
 
First Half Action
 
An assist from LJ Westbrook (Salem, Ore.) to Seth Snoddy (Daly City, Calif.) started the scoring for the Bobcats. After the Pride had tied it up, Marley Biyendolo (Melbourne, Australia) made a pair of free throws to put the 'Cats back in the lead.

 
Peru State would continue to increase on its lead and led by seven at 18-11 after Terry Moore Jr. (Kansas City, Kan.) hit a bucket in the paint on an assist from Westbrook at the 15:17 mark in the first half. Clarke would fight back to tie it later at 18-18 with 12:42 remaining.
 
Noah Vasa (Nebraska City) would make a lay-up to break the tie and Quantice Hunter (Chicago) extended the lead to four with a lay-up of his own. With 11:42 left in the half, Peru State led 22-18.
 
Clarke would come back to lead for the first time at 25-24 and extended the lead to 27-24 with 8:28 to go in the first 20 minutes. Hunter would then hit a jumper to pull the Bobcats within one and later made one of two free throws to tie it at 27-27. Moore Jr. got an assist from Biyendolo to put the 'Cats back in front at 29-27 with 6:56 left. Biyendolo would add a bucket of his own off an assist from Snoddy to move the Bobcats ahead by four.
 
Peru State would extend its lead to nine at 41-32 on a layup by Andre Frazier-Stanley (Los Angeles) with three minutes left in the first half. The Pride would get back to within five at 47-42 before Hunter nailed a trey on an assist from Westbrook to end the first half.
 
Second Half Action
 
The Bobcats never trailed in the second half, but were pushed by the Pride on several occasions.
 
With 13:39 left in the game, a trey by Nolan Cass (Spring, Texas) on an assist from Westbrook put the 'Cats up 11 at 69-58.

 
Clarke would pull within four at 77-73 at the 8:20 mark. Westbrook would hit a pair of free throws which was followed by a bucket by Biyendolo to extend the lead back to eight at 81-73.
 
The Pride would not go away as they were back within four late in the game at 93-89 with 66 ticks on the clock. Hunter made one of two free throws, followed by a pair of free throws by Westbrook to extend the lead back to seven with 34 seconds remaining. Moore Jr. would finish the game by making one of two free throws for the Bobcats' sixth-straight win.

CLARKE BOX SCORE
 
Team Statistics
 
Peru State connected on 51.4% of their shots from the floor as they made 36 of 70 which included making 5 of 14 from long range for 35.7%. At the free throw line, the 'Cats missed more than normal as they connected on 20 of 30 for 66.7%. Clarke hit 36 of 76 for 47.4% from the floor and made 5 of 20 from behind the arc for 20%. At the charity stripe, the Pride made 12 of 17 for 70.6%.
 
The Pride grabbed one more rebound than Peru State as they finished with 40. Clarke also dished out a few more assists with 16 and the Bobcats had 11. Both teams had 14 turnovers.
 
Peru State blocked six shots compared to two for the Pride. The Bobcats also finished with eight steals, one more than Clarke.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Hunter led five Bobcats scoring in double figures as he finished with a game-high 27 points on 11 of 17 shooting. Westbrook added 16 points which included making eight of eight from the free throw line. Cass added 14 while Moore Jr. and Biyendolo each finished with 11 points.

 
Westbrook finished the game with a double double as he had a game-high 11 rebounds. Frazier-Stanley added six boards while Hunter and Biyendolo each added five rebounds.
 
Westbrook also dished out a game-high six assists with Biyendolo had two. Frazier-Stanley had a game-high four blocks while Moore Jr. and Snoddy each blocked one shot.
 
In addition, Westbrook had a game-high three steals while Moore Jr. and Biyendolo each added two steals.
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will be on the road Saturday before being home for two straight contests next week. This Saturday, the Bobcats will be in Des Moines to take on Grand View at 4 p.m. The Vikings are 11-9 on the season and are 4-6 in the Heart North having lost on Wednesday at Graceland (Iowa).
 
On the last day of January, the 'Cats will a Heart South opponent when Avila (Mo.) visits the Al Wheeler Activity Center (AWAC) for a 7:30 p.m. contest. The Eagles are currently 10-8 overall and are 4-6 in conference play. Next Wednesday will be "Auburn Night" in the AWAC as the Auburn High School cheerleaders will perform at halftime of the men's game. In addition, prior to the men's game, several different groups from the Auburn Public Schools will be honored for their recent achievements.
 
Then, on Saturday, Feb. 3, Peru State will have its second match-up with Culver-Stockton at approximately 4 p.m. The Wildcats are currently 5-16 on the year and are 2-8 in the Heart North.
 
On the 3^rd, the Foundation's National Alumni Association is hosting its annual Chili Feed. At halftime of both games, the Fantastic Flyers of Gary's Tumbling will perform. In addition, between games, the fall student-athletes will be recognized.