(Peru, Neb.) – A 20-point advantage in the second half helped the Peru State men's basketball team to their seventh win of the 2018-19 season. The Bobcats outscored the hosts Evangel Crusaders 49-29 in the second 20 minutes to claim an 86-63 win in Springfield, Mo., Saturday afternoon.
 
With the win, the 'Cats improved to 7-1 on the year and more importantly are now 4-0 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). The Crusaders fell to 1-8 on the season and are 0-5 in conference action.
 
First Half Action

 
The hosts had the lead for the majority of the first half. Evangel scored the first three points of the game before Brandon Jones (Houston) made one of two free throws to get the 'Cats on the scoreboard at the 18:16 mark. After the Crusaders hit a free throw, Jones came back with a basket to cut the lead to one at 4-3.
 
Evangel would eventually lead 16-8 with 12:52 remaining in the first 20 minutes. A three-pointer by Deonte McReynolds (Chicago) off an assist from Isaac Simpson (Papillion) cut the deficit to five. Then Jones made a pair of free throws to pull the Bobcats within three at 16-13. One free throw by KeShawn Wilson (Lincoln) made it 16-14, but Evangel would respond with a bucket to put the lead back to four.
 
Later, at the 8:59 mark, Jones would hit a bucket in the paint to give Peru State its first lead of the game at 19-18. But, that was short-lived as the Crusaders would score five consecutive points.
 
Peru State would come back to eventually tie it at 23-23 on the first of two free throws by Demon Hyler (Kansas City, Mo.) with 6:17 left in the first half. The 'Cats would eventually stretch their lead to six at 34-28 after Terry Moore Jr. (Kansas City, Kan.) would hit a hoop in the paint.
 
The Crusaders would eventually cut the Bobcat lead down to three at 37-34 at halftime.
 
Second Half Action
 
Lyle Hexom (Omaha) would start the second-half scoring for the Bobcats with a bucket in the paint. Then Moore Jr. completed an old-fashioned three-point play to stretch the lead to eight at 42-34 just 34 seconds in the second half.
 
Peru State would have its first double-digit lead at 47-36 after a trey by Hexom on an assist from Hyler. Later, the 'Cats would have a 19-point lead at the 12:52 mark after Moore Jr. hit a bucket in the paint making the score 57-38.

 
The Bobcats' first lead of 20 or more came at 68-47 when Jamil Maddred (Camden, N.J.) hit a bucket in the paint off an assist from Hyler with 8:39 left in the game.
 
With 3:28 remaining in the game, Hexom hit a trey on an assist from Hyler to give the Bobcats their largest lead of the game of 27 at 84-57.
 
Drew Switzer (Casper, Wyo.) would score the final points of the game with a bucket in the paint off an assist from Cade Connell (Arnold) with 23 seconds on the clock.

EVANGEL GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
The teams had similar overall shooting percentages from the floor, but the bigger difference came in free throw shooting. Peru State made 30 of 70 field goal attempts for 42.9% which included making 8 of 25 from three-point range for 32%. At the charity stripe, the 'Cats made 18 of 24 for 75%. Evangel connected on 23 of 56 field goals for 41.1%, but were cold from long range as they made only 4 of 23 for 17.4%. At the free throw line, the Crusaders hit 13 of 25 for 52%.
 
Peru State had a huge rebounding advantage as they grabbed 54 rebounds compared to 33 for the Crusaders. Also, the 'Cats dished out 17 assists while Evangel finished with ten.
 
Evangel finished with 15 turnovers – one less than the Bobcats. Peru State blocked three shots while the Crusaders had two. The 'Cats grabbed seven steals – one more than Evangel.
 
Peru Player Statistics
 
For Bobcats finished in double figures on the night with two finishing with double-doubles. Simpson and Moore Jr. each had 16 points. The 16 were a career-high for Simpson. Hexom added 15 points while Jones contributed 13.

 
Hexom and Jones both grabbed 12 game-high rebounds for their double-doubles. Simpson added eight boards while Maddred finished with six.
 
Hyler dished out a game-high seven assists with Hexom handing out two. Hexom, Moore Jr., and Simpson each blocked one shot.
 
Wilson, Hyler, and Moore Jr. each finished with two steals.
 
Upcoming Games
 
The Bobcats have two more road games before playing a home game on December 15. On Tuesday, the 'Cats will be in Des Moines to face Grand View at 7:30 p.m. The Vikings are 4-5 on the season and are 1-4 in the Heart having lost their last three contests.
 
Next Saturday, Dec. 8, William Penn will host the Bobcats in Oskaloosa, Iowa, in a contest scheduled to start at 4 p.m. The second-ranked Statesmen were upset Saturday night by MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) and were handed their first loss of the season against 11 wins. William Penn is now 5-1 in conference play.
 
On Dec. 15, the Bobcats will host Culver-Stockton at 2 p.m. The Wildcats are 5-5 overall and are 2-4 in conference play.