(Peru, Neb.) – The home-standing Pirates would go on runs only to see Peru State keep fighting back time after time. This was the way most of the game would go until about six minutes left in the men's basketball game in Parkville, Mo., on Saturday.
 
Park University would eventually pull away from the 'Cats late and go on for a 79-70 Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) cross-division matchup.
 
With the win, the Pirates finished their regular-season with a 13-6 overall and Heart South record. Peru State fell to 9-13 overall and are now 5-12 in the Heart North with two regular-season games remaining.
 
First Half Action
 
Park scored the first six points of the game before Amitai Afenjar (Los Angeles) hit a bucket in the paint after grabbing an offensive rebound to make 6-2 at the 17:10 mark in the first 20 minutes.

 
The Pirates would later lead 10-4 before Armahn Downing (Topeka, Kan.) scored a two-pointer. Then Park countered with a bucket before Henry Tanksley (Lincoln) hit a trey and later followed with a two-point field goal to pull the 'Cats within one at 12-11 with 12:55 to go in the first half.
 
The Bobcats would later tie it at 16 on a three-pointer from Tyrece Griggs (Omaha) on a dish from Afenjar.
 
This type of back and forth action continued throughout the first half with Park continuing to lead and would have as big of a lead at eight when the led 30-22 with 4:21 on the clock. Ta'Vion Anderson (Omaha) got a trey off an assist from Griggs and then Vinny Barron (Grand Prairie, Texas) scored a two to make it 30-27. Griggs also got a two-point bucket to pull the Bobcats within one once again at 30-29 at the 2:08 point.
 
Later, a three-point bucket from Carl Brown (Omaha) on an assist from Griggs tied the game at 35 with nine seconds. Park would be able to score, though, with two seconds left in the half to lead 37-35 at the break.
 
Second Half Action
 
Park started the second half with a bucket to increase their lead to four. Afenjar scored the first points of the half for the 'Cats to put the score at 39-37. After a Pirates' bucket, Griggs hit a two and followed with a three to give Peru State a brief 42-41 lead with 16:49 on the clock.
 
The Pirates would score six-straight points and never trailed after that points although the Bobcats would keep it close until the final minutes. Peru State was within four at 59-55 after Griggs hit a bucket in the paint off a Tanksley steal.

PARK BOX SCORE
 
Team Statistics

 
Both teams shot the ball well, but Park was extremely hot from the floor. The Pirates made 30 of 48 field goals for 62.5% which included hitting 4 of 9 from downtown for 44.4%. At the free throw line, Park made 15 of 24 for 62.5%. Peru State connected on 28 of 59 field goals for 47.5% and made 8 of 21 three-point tries for 38.1%. The Bobcats only went to the free throw line eight times and hit six for 75%.
 
Peru State actually had a rebounding edge as they grabbed 30 boards compared to 24 for the Pirates. Both teams finished with seven assists.
 
Park grabbed 15 steals compared to seven for the 'Cats. That was reflected also in turnovers as Peru State finished with 22 miscues compared to 17 for Park. The Pirates had four blocks while the Bobcats were credited with one.
 
Peru Individual Statistics
 
Griggs and Tanksley were the only Bobcats to finish in double digits. Griggs led all scorers with 25 points while Tanksley added 19. Anderson came off the bench to score nine.
 
Afjenjar led the Bobcats with five rebounds while Tanksley, Barron, and Brown each nabbed four.
 
Griggs and Afenjar each dished out two assists.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
Peru State has two regular-season contests remaining and both will be key in terms of the Bobcats' chances of making it to the post-season.
 
The first will be on Tuesday, Feb. 16, when the Bobcats travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to face Mount Mercy at 2 p.m. The Mustangs are the team ahead of Peru State presently in the Heart North Division with a 6-7 conference mark. Mount Mercy is 8-9 overall on the year and has several contests to try to reschedule due to COVID-19.
 
The Bobcats' last regular-season game is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 20, when Missouri Valley will be in the Al Wheeler Activity Center at 3 p.m. The Vikings are 8-12 on the season and are 6-9 in the Heart South.
 
Prior to the game with Missouri Valley, Peru State will recognize its lone senior Isaac Simpson (Papillion).