(Peru, Neb.) – After a tight first 15 minutes, the Peru State men's basketball team pulled away for a 16-point halftime lead in route to an ultimate victory over the visiting Graceland (Iowa) Yellowjackets.
 
Both teams came into the contest having been receiving votes in the initial NAIA DI Coaches' Top 25 Preseason Poll.
 
The Bobcats improved to 6-1 overall and more importantly are still perfect in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) with a 3-0 mark. The Yellowjackets fell to 6-2 on the season and 1-1 in the Heart.

 
First Half Action
 
After winning the tip-off, Lyle Hexom (Omaha) quickly found the hoop on an assist from Jamil Maddred (Camden, N.J.) with just 13 seconds off the clock. It did not take long for Graceland to respond to tie the game.
 
The next six minutes went back and forth with the game tied two more times with the last coming at 13-13 with 13:50 left in the first 20 minutes.
 
Hexom would break the tie on an assist from Brandon Jones (Houston) and then Jones followed with a bucket off a turnover to make it 17-13. Peru State actually never trailed the rest of the contest although the Yellowjackets would be within one on a couple of occasions later in the half.
 
The last time the 'Jackets were within one was at 23-22 with 7:43 on the clock. A trey by Nicholas Wurm (Adelaide, Australia) off an assist from Jones started a 16-point run by Peru State.
 
The Bobcats would have their first ten-point advantage at 32-22 after Hexom hit another bucket on an assist from Jones with 3:54 remaining in the first half.
 
Peru State would eventually lead by 17 after Hexom and Jones hooked up one more time with the score going to 39-22 with 2:11 left.
 
The 'Cats would have its largest lead of 19 at 43-24 when Isaac Simpson hit a hoop off an assist from Wurm with 13 ticks left in the first period. Graceland would hit a trey to cut the lead to 43-27 at halftime.
 
Second Half Action
 
Peru State would lead by 17 at the 14:23 mark after Maddred put back up an offensive rebound. The 'Cats led 52-35 at that point.
 
The Yellowjackets would go on a 7-0 run before Hexom stopped the string with a bucket on an assist from Wurm.
 
Graceland would continue to fight back and eventually did cut the deficit to six at 56-50 with 8:33 left in the game.
 
Jones would make one of two free throws and then Hexom hit a bucket to extend the lead to nine. Deonte McReynolds (Chicago) hit a pair of free throws to put the 'Cats back up by double digits.
 
Later, the 'Cats led by 16 again at 66-50 after Jones again made one of two free throws with 4:13 left in the game.
 
Peru State's largest lead came with 1:30 left after KeShawn Wilson (Lincoln) drained a pair of free throws to make it 73-54. After a trey by Graceland cut the lead to 16, Justin Neyland (Council Bluffs, Iowa) hit a pair of free throws for the final points of the game.

GRACELAND BOX SCORE
 
Team Statistics
 
The Bobcats made 26 of 52 field goals for 50% and also hit 6 of 19 from behind the arc for 31.6%. At the charity stripe, the 'Cats made 17 of 24 for 70.8%. Graceland connected on 20 of 49 field goal attempts for 40.8% while making 7 of 24 from long range of 29.2%. The 'Jackets connected on 10 of 15 free throws for 66.7%.

 
Peru State had a huge advantage on the boards as they doubled up the 'Jackets by grabbing 38 compared to 19 for Graceland. The Bobcats also doubled up Graceland in assists by handing out 15 dimes compared to seven for the Yellowjackets.
 
The turnovers were about even as Graceland finished with 11 compared to ten for the 'Cats. Peru State blocked six shots while the Yellowjackets blocked five. The 'Cats nabbed seven steals while the 'Jackets finished with five.
 
Peru Individual Statistics
 
Hexom led all scorers with 24 points on 10 of 18 shooting. Jones added 16 points while Wilson contributed 12. McReynolds added seven.
 
Jones finished with a double-double as he had a game-high 11 boards. Hexom grabbed six rebounds with Maddred and Wurm each credited with five.
 
Jones dished out a game-high six assists – many of which went to Hexom – with Wurm handing out four dimes.
 
Hexom was credited with all of Peru State's blocked shots. Terry Moore, Jr. (Kansas City, Kan.) had three steals with Hexom finishing with two.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
Peru State will play three straight Heart contests – all on the road. The first will be this Saturday when they face Evangel in Springfield, Mo., at 4 p.m. The Crusaders have struggled starting the season and are 1-6 overall and 0-3 in the Heart. However, three of their losses have been less than ten points.
 
On Tuesday, Dec. 4, the Bobcats will be in Des Moines, Iowa, to take on Grand View at 7:30 p.m. The Vikings are 4-3 on the season and presently are 1-2 in conference play.
 
The final road game of the three will take play on Saturday, Dec. 8, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, at 4 p.m. The Bobcats will face the preseason second-ranked William Penn Statesmen. William Penn is off to a 10-0 start which includes a 4-0 Heart mark.