(Peru, Neb.) – On Saturday, Nov. 21, the Peru State Men's Basketball team would go 2-0 at the Heart-AMC Classic after a win over Missouri Baptist University 68-62.
 
The 'Cats improved to 3-5 on the year while the Spartans fell to 5-3 overall.
 
1^st Half
 
Missouri Baptist started the game on a 5-0 run in the first minute and a half in the half as the 'Cats stopped their run with a made layup from Jibril Harris (Chicago, Ill.). Peru State would score the next four points of the game with a Troy Houghton (Omaha) made layup and another Harris layup with the assist coming from Henry Tanksley (Lincoln) as they led 6-5 with 16:58 left to go in the half.
 
The run would continue for the Bobcats as Harris made another layup to extend the lead to three points at 8-5. The next couple of minutes both teams would struggle from the field until at the 12:39 mark the 'Cats made a three from Donzell Johnson (Bloomington, Ill.).
 
The Spartans would go on a 9-2 run to take the lead 14-13 with 9:27 remaining until intermission. The lead would change the next possession as Houghton knocked down a three of his own as the Bobcats led 16-14.
 
The 'Cats led 27-22 after a made layup from Tanksley as Peru State would take a three-point halftime lead at 31-28 after the first 20 minutes have been played.
 
2^nd Half
 
In the opening seconds of the half the Spartans would cut the lead to one point at 31-30 but the 'Cats would make a three by Harris off the pass from Man Man Baker (Aurora, Colo.) to make it 34-30 with 19:23 remaining in the game.
 
At the 18:45 mark Peru State made another three-pointer from Harris off the pass from Baker as they led 37-32.
 
At the 14:00 mark after Houghton made two free throws the Bobcats saw their first ten-point lead at 47-37. The Spartans made a late run as they would cut the 'Cats lead to two points at 58-56. Peru State would go on a 5-0 run off a three from Harris, and a layup by Houghton as they led 63-56.
 
The Bobcats used this run to win their third game of the year 68-62 and remaining perfect on their home court.
 
Stats
 
Peru State shot 22-47 for 46.8% which included 11-23 for 47.8% from three. At the free throw line, they were 13-18 for 72.2%.
 
The Bobcats had three scorers in double figures. Houghton led the team with 17 points while Harris added 15 points. Tanksley would have 11 points.
Baker led the team with seven rebounds while Johnson added six and Harris added five.
 
Baker would have a team-high four assists while Tanksley added three and Christian Tidiane (Council Bluffs, Iowa).
 
Houghton and Tanksley added two steals each while Johnson, Harris, Ty Griggs (Omaha), Dedoch Chan (Rochester, Minn.)  each had one steal.
 
Houghton added two blocks which led the team while Tidiane added one.
 
Upcoming Game
 
Peru State will be back at home on Tuesday, Nov. 23, in the Al Wheeler Activity Center when Heart of America Athletic Conference, Clarke University comes to town. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.