(Peru, Neb.) – A 38-point performance by Henry Tanksley (Lincoln) was not enough to power the Peru State men's basketball team Wednesday night in the Al Wheeler Activity Center.

The Central Methodist (CMU) (Mo.) Eagles came into Peru State and pulled out a 78-71 win in the first Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) opener for both teams.
 
Each team is now 2-2 on the season while CMU is 1-0 in the Heart South and Peru State is 0-1 in the Heart North.
 
First Half Action
 
It was tight throughout the first half as there were five ties and nine lead changes. CMU had the largest lead of four.

 
Skyler Wilson (Omaha) scored the first bucket of the game off a turnover, but the Eagles quickly responded to knot it up.
 
Later, with 16:10 left in the half, Henry Tanksley (Lincoln) made a pair of free throws to give Peru State one of its largest leads of three at 9-6. The Eagles responded with a 6-0 run to go up 12-9 before the 'Cats would eventually tie it at 14-14 on a Tanksley trey.
 
With 8:17 on the clock, the game would be tied for the fifth time in the half at 22. CMU broke the tie with a pair of free throws, but Tanksley hit another three-pointer – this time off an assist from Anthony Braggs Jr. (Tacoma, Wash.) to put the 'Cats on top.
 
With 1:47 left in the first 20 minutes, the Eagles would have their largest lead of the half at 34-30. Montenia Nelson (Kenosha, Wis.) hit a three off an assist from Amitai Afenjar (Los Angeles) to pull Peru State within one.
 
After CMU got a bucket, Afenjar would respond with a hoop in the paint with three seconds on the clock to put the score at 36-35 CMU at halftime.
 
Second Half Action
 
While the final score was larger and the biggest leads were bigger, the second half featured six ties and four lead changes.
 
Peru State would tie the game at 41 with 17:45 left in the game after Tanksley hit a pair of free throws. The game would then be tied at 43, 45, and 48 after which a bucket by Afenjar and a trey by Tanksley gave the 'Cats their largest lead of the game of 53-48.
 
CMU responded with a 7-0 run which forced the Bobcats to work from behind most of the rest of the contest. Peru State would tie it at 60 after another pair of Tanksley free throws at the 8:55 mark. Another 5-0 Eagle run put the 'Cats in a position to have to fight back which they eventually did as they tied it with an Afenjar bucket off a Brandon Fenner (Charleston, Ark.) assist. It was 67 apiece with just over five minutes left in the game.
 
The Eagles would score the next six points. This time the Bobcats could not fight their way back into the game as CMU went on for the seven-point win.
 
CENTRAL METHODIST GAME BOOK

Team Statistics
 
Both teams shot the ball well from the floor as CMU finished hitting 27 of 58 field goals for 46.6% which included hitting 6 of 23 from three-point range for 26.1%. At the free throw line, the Eagles made 18 of 23 for 78.3%. Peru State connected on 25 of 54 from the floor for 46.3% and made 8 of 26 from long range for 30.8%. The Bobcats finished hitting 13 of 20 free throws for 65%.
 
The Eagles had a slight rebounding edge as they did grab 31 boards compared to 25 for Peru State. CMU also dished out a few more assists as they finished with 18 while the 'Cats had 12.
 
Turnovers hurt both teams as Peru State finished with 22 while CMU had 20. The Eagles blocked three shots and grabbed ten steals. The Bobcats blocked one shot and had eight steals.
 
Peru Individual Statistics
 
Tanksley led all scorers with 38 points has he made 11 of 15 field goals and 11 of 14 free throws. Afenjar was the only other Bobcat in double figures as he added 11.
 
Afenjar was Peru State's leading scorer as he grabbed six rebounds. Wilson and Craig Jordan (Omaha) each had four boards.
 
Wilson dished out seven assists with Braggs Jr. handing out two.
 
DJ Fields (Omaha) was credited with Peru State's lone block.
 
Wilson led the team with a game-high four steals while Tanksley grabbed two.
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State was scheduled to travel to Mount Mercy on Saturday, but that game was recently postponed due to COVID-19 among the Mustang team.
 
The Bobcats' next scheduled contest is Tuesday, Nov. 24, when they host Grand View (Iowa) at approximately 7:30 p.m. The Vikings are 2-1 on the season and 0-1 in the Heart North.
 
Then, as long as there are no more coronavirus challenges in Canton, Mo., the 'Cats are scheduled to face Culver-Stockton at 4 p.m. on Nov. 28. The Wildcats have yet to play a game this year, but should play two before the match-up of the 'Cats.