(Peru, Neb.) – It was a contest that originally started on January 20 and was halted with 19 seconds left in the first quarter when it was reported that a Peru State player had tested positive with COVID-19. At that time, the game was postponed with the host Park (Mo.) Pirates leading Peru State 19-9.
 
After an isolation and quarantine period for the Bobcats, the postponed contest picked up where it left off Friday night in Parkville.
 
It was not a good restart for Peru State as they ended up trailing 21-12 at the end of the first ten minutes. And the second quarter was not much better as they trailed 37-22 at halftime.
 
A big third quarter got the game close and eventually the 'Cats pulled out a 59-57 win which was much needed for Peru State in order to stay in the post-season chase.
 
With the win, the Bobcats improved to 6-14 on the season and more importantly to 4-11 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) North Division. Park finished their regular season with a 3-17 mark and were 2-17 in the Heart South.

 
First Quarter Action
 
In the action that took place 22 days ago, the Pirates had jumped to a 7-0 start before Dayna Dewitt (Mansfield, Texas) hit a pair of free throws at the 7:34 mark. Park extended their lead to 14-2 before Jescenia Mosely (Shenandoah, Iowa) hit a pair of free throws.
 
The Pirates extended their lead to 15 at 18-3 with 4:01 left in the first ten minutes. Samantha Stewart (Mount Ayr, Iowa) and Kristian Dewitt (Mansfield, Texas) hit back-to-back buckets to make it 18-7 before Park would make one of two free throws. A pair of free throws by Ellie Bream (Waverly) put the score at 19-9 with 2:41 to go. That would be the score when the game was suspended.
 
When it was resumed last night, Park hit a pair of free throws to go up 21-9 before Libby Baumert (Plattsmouth) hit a trey off an assist from Mackenzie Shupe (Lenexa, Kansas) with five seconds to go. Park would lead 21-12 after 22 days and ten minutes.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Stewart started the second quarter with a bucket off an assist from Maddy Duncan (Hamburg, Iowa). The Pirates would score the next six points to lead by 13 and eventually increased their lead to 15 at halftime at 37-22.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Park scored the first bucket of the second half to go up by 17 before D. Dewitt got the 'Cats on the board. Duncan followed with a three-pointer off an assist from Shupe. D. Dewitt made one of two free throws and the Bobcats were within 11 at 39-28 at the 7:54 mark.
 
After Park scored, Duncan responded with a trey and then K. Dewitt hit a bucket and the 'Cats were within single digits at 41-33 with 5:55 to go in the third stanza. The Pirates again made it a ten-point contest, but Shupe nailed a trey off the assist from Duncan to make it 43-36.
 
The teams would go back and forth with Park still leading by four at 47-43 after 30 minutes of play.
 
Fourth Quarter Action

 
A basket by Bream and one by Shupe tied the game at 47 at the 8:52 mark. Park immediately regained the lead with a pair of free throws before Duncan knotted it with a pair of free throws, too.
 
The Pirates looked like they were back in control as they took a 6-0 lead at 55-49 with 4:37 remaining. Shupe would make one of three throws and then Duncan hit a trey off an assist from K. Duncan to make it 55-53 at the 3:37 mark.
 
D. Dewitt would later tie it at 55 on a pair of free throws. Once again, Park responded with a bucket to lead 57-55 with just over two minutes left in the game. D. Dewitt tied it with a pair of free throws with 1:45 on the clock.
 
Shupe broke the tie with one of two free throws and then Stewart extended the lead to two by doing the same. Park missed four field goal tries in the last 79 seconds as Peru State pulled out the much-needed win.

PARK GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Neither team shot the ball very well. Peru State finished making 17 of 51 field goals for 33.3% which included hitting 6 of 19 from long range for 31.6%. At the free throw line, the 'Cats went 19 of 29 for 65.5%. Park connected on 24 of 73 field goals for 32.9% and were very cold from behind the arc as they hit just 2 of 19 for 10.5%. At the free throw line, the Pirates made 7 of 10 for 70%.
 
Both teams finished the game with 44 rebounds. Peru State dished out 11 assists while Park finished with eight.
 
The Pirates had ten turnovers while the Bobcats committed 15. Park was credited with one block and had five steals. Peru State did not get a block on the night and did grab seven steals.
 
Peru Individual Statistics
 
Four Bobcats finished in double figures and were led by D. Dewitt and Duncan who each finished with 13. Stewart added 11 while Shupe contributed ten.

 
Stewart finished with a double-double as she grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds. D. Dewitt finished seven boards while Duncan, K. Dewitt, and Baumert each had five rebounds.
 
Duncan, Baumert, and Shupe each dished out three assists.
 
Duncan was credited with three steals while Shupe added two.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
Peru State has four contests remaining which will determine their post-season fate. Presently, the Bobcats are 1.5 games out of fourth in the Heart standings. The team they are chasing will be the visitors Monday night in Peru when Mount Mercy (Iowa) visits for a 6:30 p.m. contest. The Mustangs are currently 5-10 overall and are 5-9 in the Heart North. A win for either team puts that team in the driver's seat for the final spot in the North.
 
Prior to Monday's night game, the Dewitt sisters will be recognized for their Senior Night.
 
The Bobcats then will host Central Methodist (Mo.) on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 5:30 p.m. The Eagles, who are receiving votes in the latest coaches' poll, have won six in a row and are 12-5 overall and are 11-5 in the Heart South.
 
Peru State will finish with a pair of contests against Culver-Stockton (Mo.) – both games are rescheduled contests. The two teams will first meet in Canton, Mo., on Friday, Feb. 19, at 5:30 p.m. and then in Peru on Feb. 22 at 5:30 p.m. The Wildcats are winless on the year, but have been competitive in many of their games.