(Peru, Neb.) – The old adage in an updated way of saying "It ain't over until someone sings," was true Wednesday night for the Peru State men's basketball team.

The Bobcats trailed by five points with 42 seconds to go in their contest with the York Panthers. Back-to-back treys by Isaac Simpson (Papillion) and Brandon Fenner (Charleston, Ark.) ended up propelling the 'Cats to a 73-72 win over the visiting Panthers.
 
Both teams had other opportunities to score during that time frame, but failed to capitalize as Peru State picked up its second win of the season against a non-conference opponent. York fell to 0-2 on the year.
 
First Half Action
 
The Panthers would get on the scoreboard first at the 18:31 mark. With 17:03 to go in the first half, Simpson scored the first bucket of the game for Peru State to tie at 2-2.

 
York would score the next five points and then would lead for the majority of the first half. The Panthers had their largest lead of 12 at 20-8 with 11:25 remaining in the first 20 minutes.
 
Peru State would go on a run at that point which started with a three-point bucket by Montenia Wilson (Kenosha, Wis.) off an assist from Skyler Wilson (Omaha). Wilson would follow with another bucket and then Simpson hit a trey coming off an assist from Wilson to make it 20-16 with 8:52 on the clock. Wilson then got an assist from Keyshawn Jenkins (Lincoln) and hit a trey to pull the 'Cats within one at 20-19.
 
Later, Craig Jordan (Compton, Calif.) would hit a pair of free throw to put the 'Cats in the lead at 23-22 with just over five minutes to go in the half. Peru State would extend its lead to as many as eight two different times in the half before eventually leading 34-28 at halftime.
 
Second Half Action
 
The Bobcats would maintain the lead for the first part of the second half while generally leading by no more than five for the first ten minutes.
 
Peru State's largest lead during that time frame came with 11:45 left in the game when Tyrece Griggs (Omaha) hit a bucket on a fast break with the assist coming from Wilson. The score at that time was 48-41 Bobcats.
 
The Panthers would go on a 7-0 run to tie it up at 48 with 9:18 to go in the contest. Nelson made a pair of free throws to regain the lead for the 'Cats.
 
The game would then be tied at 50, 52, and 54 before the Panthers took the lead with 7:18 on the clock. York would extend the lead to nine at 65-56 with 5:25 remaining.
 
Nelson would hit a free throw and then Fenner made one of his two three-pointers to make it 65-60 with 4:48 left in the game. Amitai Afenjar (Los Angeles) followed with a bucket in the paint from Nelson to pull the 'Cats back within three at 65-62 at the 4:14 mark.
 
The game would go back and forth with York still leading by five at 72-67 with 42 seconds left in the game.
 
On Peru State's next possession, Fenner found Simpson who drained a three to put the contest at 72-70 with 31 seconds left. After a steal by Nelson, the 'Cats had a chance to tie it, but missed their opportunity. However, after York rebounded the ball, Simpson wisely tied up the defender and on the possession arrow, the Bobcats got the ball with 17 seconds to go.
 
With 11 seconds on the clock, Wilson found Fenner who drained a trey from the corner to put the 'Cats on top 73-72.
 
York had several opportunities to regain the lead after rebounding their first shot attempt, but then Fenner blocked the second try and Afenjar rebounded the ball with .7 on the clock. Afenjar was fouled, but missed both free throws which gave the Panthers one last attempt which went awry.

YORK GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics

 
York out-shot the Bobcats on the floor as they made 25 of 48 field goals for 52.1% which included hitting 6 of 20 from long range for 30%. At the free throw line, the Panthers connected on 16 of 20 for 80%. Peru State hit 20 of 48 field goal tries for 41.7%, but were better from distance hitting 7 of 15 for 46.7%. From the charity stripe, Peru State made 26 of 34 for 76.5%.
 
The rebounds were even at 23 apiece. The Panthers finished with two more assists than Peru State as they had 15.
 
Both teams had turnover problems as York had 24 compared to 21 for the 'Cats. The Panthers blocked five shots and had seven steals while the Bobcats had one blocked shot and five steals.
 
Peru Individual Statistics
 
Like in their first contest of the season, the Bobcats had balanced scoring as nine players entered the scoring column. Nelson led all scorers as he finished with a game-high 22 points while Jordan finished with ten. Simpson and Tyler Witt (Falls City) each had eight points.
 
Jordan finished with a double-double as he grabbed a game-high ten rebounds. Simpson added four boards.
 
Wilson dished out six assists to tie for game-high honors with Nelson and Afenjar dishing out two each.
 
Fenner was credited with the lone Peru State block.
 
Nelson led the team with three game-high steals with Jordan and Wilson each grabbing one.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
Peru State will be off for a week before they host a pair of non-conference contests on Nov. 4 and 7.
 
Concordia will be the guests on Wednesday, Nov. 4. The Bulldogs are set to open their schedule this weekend.
 
On Saturday, Nov. 7, former conference opponent Avila will visit the Al Wheeler Activity Center. The Eagles started the season with a win over Baptist Bible College and will play a pair of Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) opponents before heading to Peru State.