(Peru, Neb.) – The Peru State men's basketball team will be playing the second-seeded Clarke Pride team in Dubuque, Iowa, Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m.
 
The Bobcats have the opportunity to play after taking care of the visiting Baker (Kan.) Wildcats Thursday night 73-62 in the Al Wheeler Activity Center.
 
Peru State entered Thursday's contest as the third seed and were able to hold off late second-half charges by the Wildcats in order to advance.
 
All four top seeds in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) men's postseason tournament held up Thursday night.
 
Peru State improved to 17-14 on the season while the Wildcats finished their year at 15-16.
 
First Half Action
 
Noah Vasa (Nebraska City) scored the first points of the game off an assist from Henry Tanksley (Lincoln) with just 12 seconds off the clock.

 
The next six minutes were close with a couple of lead changes. With 13:50 left in the first half, Baker had cut the lead back to one at 13-12. After that point, the Bobcats exploded for a 17-0 run which started with Tanksley making one of two free throws. Devon Colley (Las Vegas) followed by doing the same and then Tanksley nailed a trey on an assist from Colley. Suddenly, the Bobcats led 18-12 at the 12 minute mark.
 
Vasa would get another bucket in the paint on an assist from Colley and then Nick Brannon (Las Vegas) hit a three-pointer of his own – also on an assist from Colley to make it 23-12. The run would continue with a trey by Deonte McReynolds (Chicago) and another three by Brannon to finish off the 17-0 run.
 
Peru State would continue to lead by double digits at halftime as the Bobcats had a 40-26 advantage after the first 20 minutes.
 
Second Half Action
 
The Bobcats would maintain the double-digit lead for most of the second half. With 14:34 left in the game, Cade Connell (Arnold) hit a rainbow three off an assist from Colley to give Peru State its largest lead of the game of 19 at 52-33.
 
With 3:45 remaining, Baker had cut the deficit to ten at 61-51 before Colley made a pair of free throws.
 
Later, with 1:33 on the clock, the Wildcats pulled within nine at 67-58 and just 15 seconds later, Baker was within eight at 68-60. That would be as close as the Wildcats would get the rest of the way.
 
BAKER GAME BOOK

Team Statistics
 
Peru State had an edge in field goal shooting while the Wildcats were better at the free throw line. The Bobcats made 24 of 54 field goals for 44.4% which included hitting 12 of 29 from long range for 41.4%. At the charity stripe, Peru State completed 13 of 19 for 68.4%. Baker was 24 of 67 on the floor and hit 8 of 27 from behind the arc for 29.6%. At the free throw line, the Wildcats made 6 of 7 for 85.7%.
 
The Bobcats had an advantage in rebounding as they pulled down 36 boards compared to 28 for the Wildcats. Peru State dished out 17 assists while Baker finished with 13.
 
Peru State committed 16 turnovers while the Wildcats finished with nine. The Bobcats blocked six shots while Baker had one. The Wildcats grabbed eight steals – three more than Peru State.
 
Peru Individual Statistics
 
Three Bobcats finished in double figures with Colley and Tanksley each having 17 points. Brannon added 13 points while Connell came off the bench to hit three of four treys for nine points.
 
Vasa had a game-high nine rebounds while Tanksley grabbed seven. Colley contributed six boards.
 
Colley dished out a game-high seven assists while Tanksley dished out four. McReynolds and Brannon each had three assists.
 
Vasa blocked a game-high four shots while Colley and Tanksley each blocked one.
 
Tanksley was credited with three steals while Colley nabbed two.
 
Upcoming Contest(s)
 
Peru State will be in Dubuque, Iowa, Saturday afternoon to face the 22^nd-ranked Pride at 4 p.m. Clarke topped Missouri Valley in their quarterfinal contest 73-51 to improve to 23-8 on the season. The Bobcats and Pride split their season series with each team winning on the opponent's home court.
 
With a win, the Bobcats would play in the Heart championship Tuesday night with the site to be determined. Presently, the fifth-ranked William Penn (Iowa) Statesmen are in the driver's seat as they are the top seed. The Statesmen host MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) on Saturday. If William Penn wins, they will host. If MidAmerica Nazarene wins, the Bobcats would host Tuesday night.