(Peru, Neb.) – A second-half rally by the visiting 12^th-ranked Benedictine (Kan.) men's basketball team was enough to hold off the 20^th-ranked Peru State Bobcats Thursday night in the Al Wheeler Activity Center in Peru.
 
The Ravens outscored the 'Cats 42-29 in the second half to win 67-63. With the win, Benedictine improved to 14-2 overall and are still perfect at 10-0 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). Peru State fell to 12-4 overall and 7-3 in the conference play.
 
First Half Action
 
The first half was close throughout the first eight minutes with the lead changing hands a couple times.

 
Peru State controlled the opening tip and Lyle Hexom (Omaha) scored a bucket in the paint. Benedictine quickly responded with a trey to take a 3-2 lead.
 
Hexom came back with a trey off an assist from Jamil Maddred (Camden, N.J.) and was fouled on the play. After connecting on the play, Peru State led 6-3 at the 17:41 mark.
 
Benedictine would score the next four points to regain the lead and would later lead 10-9 at the 12:43 point of the first half. A field goal by Deonte McReynolds (Chicago) off an assist from Nicholas Wurm (Adelaide, Australia) gave the 'Cats an 11-10 advantage. After that lead change, Peru State would lead the rest of the first 20 minutes.
 
With 7:12 to go in the half, KeShawn Wilson (Lincoln) hit a bucket in the paint to give the Bobcats their first double-digit lead at 22-12.
 
At the 2:49 mark, Peru State had their largest lead of 15 at 31-16 after Michael Wardy (Roca) made a field goal in the paint.
 
Benedictine would cut into the lead before the half ended and trailed 34-25 at the end of the first 20 minutes.
 
Second Half Action
 
A bucket by Hexom started the second half to give Peru State a double-digit lead of 11 just 26 seconds in.
 
The 'Cats would still lead by 11 at 41-30 later after Wurm hit a trey coming off an assist from McReynolds.
 
It was at that point that the Ravens made their initial run to take the lead for the first time in the second half. Benedictine would outscore the 'Cats 16 to 4 to lead 46-45 at the 12:41 mark.
 
A three-pointer by Hexom put Peru State back on top before the Ravens tied it up with a bucket at 48-48.
 
Maddred gave the 'Cats the lead back with a trey off an assist from Hexom. Peru State would maintain the lead until the Ravens tied it at 57-57 with exactly 7:00 minutes left in the game.
 
Benedictine would lead for the next two minutes as they were on top 62-61 at the 5:00 point.
 
Hexom would later hit a bucket in the paint to put the 'Cats back up 63-62 at the 3:27 mark.
 
The Ravens would get a trey with 1:15 left to take the lead at 65-63 and finished off the game with a pair of free throws for the 67-63 victory.

BENEDICTINE GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
With a hot-shooting second half, Benedictine finished the contest making 24 of 52 field goals for 46.2% including hitting 11 of 26 from long range for 42.3%. At the free throw line each team went 8 of 13 for 61.5%. Peru State made 24 of 53 field goals for 45.3% and was 7 of 23 from three-point range for 30.4% which ironically was the difference in the contest.
 
The Ravens had a slight edge in rebounding as they grabbed 30 compared to 26 for the 'Cats. Benedictine dished out 13 assists while the 'Cats finished with ten. The Ravens finished with 13 turnovers while Peru State committed nine.
 
Benedictine blocked four shots compared to one for the 'Cats. Peru State doubled up the Ravens in steals as they finished with six.
 
Peru Player Statistics
 
Three Bobcats finished in double figures and were led by Hexom who finished with a game-high 22 points on 9 of 15 shooting. Wilson added 16 points while Maddred added 13.
 
Hexom also had a game-high 13 rebounds to finish the contest with another double-double. McReynolds also grabbed seven boards.
 
Wurm, McReynolds, and Hexom each dished out two assists while McReynolds was credited with the lone block of the night for the 'Cats. Hexom also had a game-high four steals.
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will host a pair of contests before going on the road. On Saturday, the Bobcats will be hosting Clarke (Iowa) at 2 p.m. The Pride are currently 7-9 on the season and are 5-5 in the Heart.
 
Between the women's and men's games on Saturday, the Peru State Foundation and athletic department will be hosting its third annual basketball reunion. Team members, along with former men's coach John Gibbs, will be recognized.
 
Next Wednesday, the 'Cats will be hosting Grand View (Iowa) at 7:30 p.m. The Vikings are 8-7 on the season and presently are 4-6 in conference play.