(Peru, Neb.) – The Peru State men's basketball team made a late charge Saturday afternoon against Evangel, but the Crusaders withheld the Bobcats to preserve a 73-62 win in Springfield, Mo. This was a crossover match-up in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart).
 
With the win, the Crusaders improved to 10-12 overall and 9-8 in the Heart South. Peru State fell to 9-10 on the season and 5-9 in the Heart North.
 
First Half Action
 
The first half was pretty close throughout as there were four ties and three lead changes. The largest lead by either team was seven.

 
Peru State got on the board first with a bucket by Amitai Afenjar (Los Angeles, Calif.) with just 17 seconds off the clock. After Evangel tied the score, Montenia Nelson (Kenosha, Wis.) hit a bucket off an assist from Tyrece Griggs (Omaha).
 
The 'Cats increased their lead to 9-4 after Carl Brown (Omaha) hit a trey off an assist from Afenjar at the 16:38 mark. Evangel would go on a 7-0 run to take the lead before Nelson once again tied the score.
 
Later, after Evangel took an 18-16 lead, the Bobcats would get three-point field goals by Nelson, Isaac Simpson (Papillion), and Brown to jump to their largest lead at 25-18 with 7:13 left in the half.
 
The Crusaders would turn the table for the rest of the half as they went on a 15-2 run to lead 33-27 at the break.
 
Second Half Action
 
Henry Tanksley (Lincoln) hit a trey to start the second half for Peru State to make the score 33-30 Evangel with 19:13 to go. The Crusaders would then go on a 9-2 run to extend their lead to 12 at 42-30 at the 15:20 mark.
 
Evangel would lead by as many as 19 at 62-43 with 8:35 remaining. The 'Cats would have a mini-run which started with a trey by Vinny Barron (Grand Prairie, Texas) off an assist from Afenjar and ended on a three-pointer by Simpson – again on an assist from Afenjar to cut the score to 62-51 at the 7:02 mark.
 
Later, a bucket by Nelson pulled Peru State within seven at 64-57 with 3:25 on the clock, but that would be as close as the 'Cats could get.

EVANGEL GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Evangel hit nearly 50% of their field goals making 30 of 61 for 49.2% which included making 7 of 22 from behind the arc for 31.8%. At the free throw line, the Crusaders made 6 of 8 for 75%. Peru State connected on 24 of 71 field goals for 33.8% which included 10 of 34 from long range for 29.4%. The 'Cats hit 4 of 7 from the charity stripe of 57.1%.
 
Peru State outrebounded Evangel 44 to 36, but the Crusaders finished with 17 assists compared to 11 for the Bobcats.
 
The Bobcats had 12 turnovers – two more than Evangel. The Crusaders blocked ten shots compared to one for the 'Cats. Evangel had seven steals while Peru State had five.
 
Peru Individual Statistics
 
Tanksley and Nelson both finished in double figures with 16 and 12 points respectively. Simpson was one shy with nine points and Afjenjar added eight.

 
Afenjar led the team with nine rebounds while Tanksley grabbed eight. Simpson finished with seven boards.
 
Afenjar dished out six assists with Griggs handing out two.
 
Tanksley was credited with the team's lone block.
 
Griggs and Tanksley each nabbed two steals.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
Peru State is hosting Mount Mercy Monday afternoon at 3 p.m. The Mustangs come into the contest with a 7-8 overall record and are 5-6 in the Heart North.
 
The Bobcats will face two Heart South opponents on Thursday and Saturday. Thursday, the 'Cats will be in Baldwin City, Kan., to take on Baker at 7 p.m. The Wildcats are 8-9 on the year and 6-7 in conference play.
 
On Saturday, in a make-up of a COVID-19 delayed contest, the Bobcats will face Park in Parkville at 1 p.m. The Pirates are 12-5 on the season and have the same mark in conference play.