(Peru, Neb.) – In a game originally scheduled for Saturday, but rescheduled to Monday due to inclement weather, the home team used their floor to their advantage. The William Penn (WPU) Statesmen shot nearly 57% in their 108-91 win over the visiting Peru State Bobcats in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
 
The fifth-ranked Statesmen improved to 15-1 overall and improved to 9-1 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). The Bobcats fell to 8-7 on the season and are now 7-3 in the Heart, tied with MidAmerica Nazarene (Kian.) in second place two games behind WPU.

 
First Half Action
 
The Statesmen never trailed in the contest after jumping out to a 5-0 lead to start the game. Isaac Simpson (Papillion) would get the scoring started with a trey off an assist from Kendrick Robinson (Chicago) with 18:51 on the clock. After WPU scored a bucket, Nick Brannon (Las Vegas) would get a hoop to keep the Bobcats within two at 7-5.
 
William Penn would have their first double-digit lead at 20-8 at the 14:39 mark. Devon Colley (Las Vegas) stopped the run with a bucket, but the Statesmen would come back with an 11-0 run to go up 31-10. Henry Tanksley (Lincoln) stopped the run by making one of two free throws.
 
Peru State would eventually cut the lead down to 12 at 40-28 after Tanksley hit a trey off an assist from Brannon with 6:34 left in the first 20 minutes.
 
WPU would finish the half by outscoring the Bobcats 24-10 to lead 64-38 at halftime.
 
Second Half Action
 
Tanksley started the second half with a bucket with just three seconds gone.

 
William Penn would maintain their 20-point-plus lead for most the half. Peru State would cut the lead to 20 at 78-58 with 14:37 to go on a field goal by O'Nandi Brooks (Brooklyn, N.Y.).
 
With 9:41 left in the contest, a pair of free throws by Robinson would get the lead down to 19 at 87-68. On the next possession, Robinson would hit a bucket to pull the Bobcats within 17. The Statesmen would score four straight to go back up by 21.
 
Later, at the 4:10 mark, the 'Cats had chipped away at the lead and had pulled within 11 at 95-84 after Robinson hit a bucket in the paint. That would be as close as the Bobcats would get in the game.

WILLIAM PENN GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
The Statesmen connected on 41 of 72 from the floor for an outstanding 56.9% which included making 8 of 25 from behind the arc for 32%. At the charity stripe, WPU made 18 of 26 for 69.2%. The Bobcats took 81 shots and made 33 for 40.7%. From long range the 'Cats made 10 of 31 for 32.3%. At the free throw line, Peru State went 15 of 22 for 68.2%.

 
William Penn had a rebounding edge as they finished with 49 rebounds compared to 38 for the Bobcats. The Statesmen more than tripled up the Bobcats in assists as they had 28 dimes while the 'Cats finished with nine.
 
Peru State did commit four fewer turnovers as they finished with 15. WPU blocked six shots – twice as many as the Bobcats. The 'Cats did nab seven steals with the Statesmen finishing with four.
 
Peru Individual Statistics
 
Four Bobcats finished in double figures in the contest. Colley and Tanksley each had 20 points while Robinson added 18. Brannon contributed 14. Simpson was just one shy of double figures.
 
Brannon led the team with eight rebounds while Noah Vasa (Nebraska City) came off the bench to grab seven. Tanksley added six rebounds.
 
Colley dished out three assists with Robinson finishing with two.
 
Brooks was credited with two blocked shots while Brannon blocked one.
 
Tanksley had two steals with five others each being credited with one.

 
Upcoming Contests
 
Peru State will be at home Wednesday night before hitting the road for three-straight games. The Ravens of Benedictine (Kan.) will be the opponent Wednesday at approximately 7:30 p.m. Benedictine is presently 8-8 on the year and are just one game behind the Bobcats in the Heart with a 6-4 mark.
 
Saturday, the Bobcats will head to Lamoni, Iowa, to face Graceland at approximately 4 p.m. The Yellowjackets are 7-9 overall and are 4-6 in conference play.
 
The 'Cats will next be at home on Monday, January 27, when the Baker (Kan.) Wildcats visit at approximately 7:30 p.m.