(Peru, Neb.) – The Mustangs men's basketball team used a late first-half surge to gain a seven-point lead going into the break. Then Mount Mercy almost put up half a hundred in the second half as the Mustangs went on to win 93-78 over the visiting Peru State Bobcats.
 
Mount Mercy improved to 9-9 overall and 7-7 in the Heart North while Peru State dropped to 9-14, 5-13 in the conference. The game was played in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
 
First Half Action
 
The 'Cats jumped out to an early five-point lead after Henry Tanksley (Lincoln) made a field goal followed by a three from Ta'Vion Anderson (Omaha) with 18:41 on the clock in the first half.

 
The Mustangs would go on a 5-0 run to get the game tied at five. Tyrece Griggs (Omaha) ended their run with a bucket. Peru State would lead 7-5 with 17:51 remaining.
 
The game would again be tied at seven before Anderson broke the tie with a three-pointer.
 
Amitai Afenjar (Los Angeles) hit a two-pointer to give the 'Cats a four-point lead at 13-9 with 15:19 remaining before intermission.
 
The game would be tied at 15 before the tie would be broke after Griggs made a bucket to give the Bobcats the lead. The next possession Griggs made a three to extend the 'Cats lead to five at 20-15 with 12:00 until break.
 
The scoring would go back and forth for the next few minutes until the Mustangs would gain the advantage 25-24 with 6:54 remaining on the clock.
 
Mount Mercy would go on an 8-2 run to take a 33-26 lead before Griggs would stop the run with a trey with the score at 33-29 with 3:51 in the first half.
 
Afenjar made a bucket to cut deficit to four at 35-31 with 2:35 on the clock.
 
A 4-0 run by the Mustangs would take an eight-point lead with the score at 41-33. Tanksley would end the run with a bucket with 39 seconds left until intermission.
 
The first half would come to an end with Mount Mercy leading 44-37.
 
Second Half Action
 
In the opening seconds of the second half, the 'Cats have scored off a bucket from Griggs to cut into the Mount Mercy lead.

 
Afenjar made a bucket with the score at 44-41. A quick 4-0 run by the 'Cats had them trailing by three points with 18:28 remaining in the game.
 
Afenjar made a field goal off the assist from Tanksley with the score 49-46 with 16:29 left in the game.
The scoring would go back and forth for the next few minutes.
 
The 'Cats first lead in the second half came at the 54-53 with 14:01 left in the game when Tanksley made a bucket off the pass from Skyler Wilson (Omaha).
 
Peru State would lead by six when Griggs made a field goal with 13:15 on the clock with the score at 59-53.
 
Tanksley made a two-pointer to give the 'Cats its largest lead of the game at eight with the score at 63-55 and 10:55 until the end of the game.
 
The Mustangs went on a 10-3 run to take a one-point lead with 7:59 remaining with the score at 67-66.
 
Another 12-3 run for the Mustangs would give them a ten-point lead with the score at 79-69 with 4:22 on the clock.
 
Mount Mercy never looked back at this point as Peru State would not be able to come back from the deficit.
 
Mount Mercy would go on to win 93-78.

MOUNT MERCY GAME BOOK
 
Teams Stats
 
Mount Mercy made 36 of 56 field goals for 64.3% which included 8 of 21 from three-point distance for 38.1%. At the free throw line, the Mustangs made 13 of 15 for 86.7%. Peru State made 32 of 62 field goals for 51.65% which included 6 of 19 from long distance for 31.6%. At the charity stripe, the 'Cats went 8 of 13 for 61.5%.

 
Mount Mercy grabbed 30 total rebounds while Peru State had 24.
 
The Mustangs would hand out 13 assists while committing 16 turnovers while the Bobcats had 10 assists while committing 14 turnovers.
 
Mount Mercy had six steals and one block while Peru State had four steals and two blocks.
 
Peru Individual Stats
 
Griggs had a team-high 23 points on 10 of 14 shooting. Three other Bobcats would hit double-digits. Tanksley had 22, Anderson had 14 (season-high), and Afenjar added 13.
 
Afenjar had game-game high seven rebounds while four of them were on the offensive end. Wilson added four.
 
Tanksley had team-high five assists while Griggs added two.
 
Tanksley and Wilson each were credited with two steals. Tyler Witt (Falls City) and Afenjar each added one.
 
Griggs and Tanksley each registered one block.
 
Upcoming Game
 
The 'Cats have one game remaining on their 2020-2021 schedule. This Saturday Feb. 20 the team will face Missouri Valley (8-12, 6-9) at home with the schedule tip-off shortly after 3:00 p.m. It will be senior day for Peru State as they will recognize Isaac Simpson (Papillion).