(Peru, Neb.) – The Peru State men's basketball team led for almost the entire game before succumbing to William Woods (WWU) in the opener of the Columbia College Classic in Columbia, Mo., Friday night.
 
The Bobcats were plagued by costly turnovers and fell to 0-1 to start the season. The Owls picked up the first win of their campaign.
 
First Half Action
 
Kendrick Robinson (Chicago) scored the first two buckets of the game for the Bobcats as they led 4-0 after just 80 seconds.

 
Peru State would eventually stretch its early lead to 11-2 after a basket by Nick Brannon (Las Vegas) with 15:36 left in the first half. William Woods would keep it close and would get within two on several occasions before the 'Cats led by seven at 29-22. This came after a three-pointer by Deonte McReynolds (Chicago) on an assist from Isaac Simpson (Papillion).
 
The Owls would tie it at 35-35 before McReynolds would make a pair of free throws. After WWU knotted it at 37 apiece, Nate Townsen Jr. (Richton Park, Ill.) hit a bucket in the paint with 56 seconds left in the half.
 
The 39-37 score would eventually be the first half outcome.
 
Second Half Action
 
A basket by Devon Colley (Las Vegas) started the scoring for the second half. A three-pointer by Robinson, on an assist from McReynolds put the Bobcats up 44-37 with less than two minutes one in the second half.
 
Again, William Woods would keep it close and it was either a two- or four-point lead for the next eight minutes. That was until Henry Tanksley (Lincoln) would make a pair of free throws to put the Bobcats up again by seven at 61-54 with 10:28 left in the game.
 
An 11-4 run by the Owls tied the game at 65-65 with 5:22 left. Robinson made one of two free throws to give the 'Cats the lead back only to see William Woods to take their first lead of the game with a bucket.

 
Brannon would make one of two free throws and then hit a bucket to put the Bobcats back up by two at 69-67.
 
WWU would tie it and then hit a trey to have their largest lead at 72-69 with just under two minutes to go. A bucket by Noah Vasa (Nebraska City) pulled the 'Cats within one at 72-71, but the Owls responded with a two-pointer.
 
Peru State would have multiple shots in the remaining time, but could not get one to go down as William Woods would win 74-71.

WILLIAM WOODS GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Peru State actually shot the ball better than the Owls. The Bobcats made 26 of 55 field goals for 47.3% and then hit five of 22 from long range for 22.7%. The 'Cats went 14 of 23 from the free throw line for 60.9%. William Woods made 31 of 72 for 43.1% and connected on 8 of 25 from three-point range for 32%. At the charity stripe, the Owls made just 4 of 10 for 40%.
 
The rebounding edge went to the Owls by just one as they pulled down 40. William Woods had 12 assists compared to eight for the 'Cats.
 
WWU finished with 14 turnovers, eight less than the Bobcats. Peru State blocked eight shots compared to two for the Owls. The 'Cats grabbed nine steals while the Owls had five.
 
Peru Individual Statistics
 
Robinson finished with a game-high 20 points on 7 of 12 shooting. McReynolds and Brannon each added 11 points while Colley and Tanksley were just one point short of double figures.
 
Vasa grabbed a game-high nine rebounds while Brannon added six. Robinson, Colley, McReynolds, and Simpson each had four boards.

 
Colley handed out three assists with five others each had one assist. Vasa blocked a game-high six shots with O'Nandi Brooks (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Simpson each blocking one. Robinson and McReynolds each had three steals with Colley grabbing two.
 
Upcoming Games
 
The Bobcats were scheduled to play Columbia in the second night of the Classic. The Cougars opened their season with an 81-62 loss to Olivet Nazarene (Ill.).
 
Peru State will be traveling to Brookings, S.D., to face NCAA DI opponent South Dakota State in an exhibition game on Thursday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. The Jackrabbits have played an exhibition and will play the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley before hosting the Bobcats. South Dakota State finished last season with a 24-9 mark.
 
The 'Cats will then be off before hosting their first Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) game on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 6 p.m. The Culver-Stockton (Mo.) Wildcats will be the opponent.