(Peru, Neb.) – Every conference game is important, but when you can get one on the road against a top tier team, it is even better.

That was the case Thursday night when the Peru State Bobcat men's basketball team came away with a road win over MidAmerica Nazarene (MNU) in Olathe, Kansas. The Bobcats held off a late rally by the Pioneers to win 81-76.
 
With the win, the 'Cats improved to 11-10 overall and more importantly, are now 10-6 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). The Pioneers, who are presently receiving votes in the most recent coaches' poll, feel to 12-8 on the year and have dropped to 8-6 in conference play.
 
The two wins in a row in conference play have moved the Bobcats solely into fourth place in the league – just 2.5 games behind conference-leading William Penn (Iowa).
 
First Half Action
 
The Pioneers scored the first four points of the game before Nick Brannon (Las Vegas) hit a bucket in the paint off an assist from Kendrick Robinson (Chicago) at the 17:43 mark. MNU would extend their early lead to seven at 9-2, before Brannon scored again to cut the deficit to five.

 
With 15:07 to go, the Pioneers had their largest lead of the half at 12-4, before Brannon nailed a trey. Peru State would start a comeback with MNU maintaining the lead for the next three-plus minutes. A bucket by Robinson in the paint at the 10:58 point to tie the game at 17.
 
The game would later be tied at 19, 21, 24, and 27. The teams would continue to be close for the next several possessions.
 
The Bobcats would stretch its lead to seven at 41-34 after Brannon made a pair of free throws. After the Pioneers hit a trey, the 'Cats responded with a last-second three-pointer by Deonte McReynolds (Chicago) to give Peru State a 44-37 advantage after the first 20 minutes.
 
Second Half Action
 
McReynolds would make one of two free throws to start the second half for the Bobcats.
 
MNU would get a bucket to cut the deficit to six before McReynolds hit a trey off an assist from Robinson to give Peru State its largest lead of the game at that point. The 'Cats led 48-39 with 17:54 remaining in the game.
 
The Pioneers would get a bucket and Brannon responded with one of his own. With 16:20 on the clock, Robinson dished off to Henry Tanksley (Lincoln) who hit a trey to give the Bobcats another largest lead – this time a 12-point one at 53-41.
 
The teams would trade buckets for several minutes with Peru State still leading by 12 at 61-49 with just over 11 minutes to go. Isaac Simpson (Papillion) grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back in for that 12-point advantage.
 
MidAmerica Nazarene would make things interesting down the stretch as they would pull within two at 74-72 with just under three minutes to go. The Bobcats would get a big bucket from O'Nandi Brooks (Brooklyn, N.Y.). The Pioneers responded with a bucket and then Tanksley drained a trey to make it 79-74.

 
The Pioneers scored a two-pointer in the paint to get within one possession with 28 seconds left. MNU was forced to foul several times before the Bobcats were in the bonus. With 13 seconds on the clock, Tanksley made a pair of free throws to ice the game for the 'Cats.

MIDAMERICA NAZARENE GAME BOOK 

Team Statistics
 
Peru State shot the ball well during the game as they made 30 of 67 field goals for 44.8% which included making 9 of 18 from distance for 50%. The 'Cats went 12 of 15 at the charity stripe for 80%. MNU actually was better from the floor as they hit 31 of 61 for 50.8% and connected on 9 of 27 from behind the arc for 33.3%. The Pioneers did struggle from the free throw line making just 5 of 12 for 41.7%.
 
The Bobcats had a slight rebounding advantage as they grabbed 39 boards compared to 35 for MidAmerica Nazarene. The Pioneers doubled up the 'Cats in assists as they finished with 16.
 
The 'Cats had fewer turnovers as they finished with 11 while MNU had 15. The Pioneers had an outstanding night with blocks as they swatted away 13 Peru State shots while the Bobcats had two blocks. Peru State nabbed eight steals while MNU finished with two.
 
Peru Individual Statistics
 
Three Bobcats finished in double figures with Brannon leading the way with a game- and Bobcat career high of 27 points of 11 of 15 shooting. Brannon drained all three of his treys. Tanksley added 24 points with Robinson finishing with 13. McReynolds was one point shy of double digits.

 
Robinson led the team with eight game-high rebounds while Tanksley added seven. Brooks added five boards.
 
Robinson dished out four assists with Brooks handing out two.
 
Tanksley and Simpson were each credited with one block.
 
Tanksley and Brooks each grabbed two steals.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
Another huge conference road game looms for the Bobcats as they will travel to Dubuque, Iowa, on Saturday to face Clarke at 2 p.m. The Pride, who are receiving votes in the most recent coaches' poll, have won six in a row to improve to 16-6 overall and 12-4 in the Heart.
 
Peru State will step out of conference for one final non-conference match-up when they head to Vermillion, S.D., to take on NCAA DI University of South Dakota. The Coyotes are 15-8 on the season having won four games in a row. Tip-off at the Sanford Center is scheduled for 7 p.m.
 
On Saturday, February 8, the Bobcats will be back at home to begin their final three weeks of conference play. Peru State will be hosting Evangel (Mo.) beginning at 2 p.m. Presently, the Crusaders are just one-half game back of the Bobcats in the conference standings as they have a 9-6 mark in the Heart. Overall, Evangel is 13-8.
 
That Saturday will be the Foundation's National Alumni Association's Annual Chili Feed. In addition, the Fantastic Flyers of Glenwood, Iowa, will perform at halftime of both games. Between games, the fall student-athletes will be recognized for their athletic and academic honors.