(Peru, Neb.)—Saturday evening the Peru State men's basketball team clipped the MidAmerica Nazarene Pioneers 64-62. The Bobcats improved to 10-11 overall and 5-6 in the Heart (North) The Pioneers fell to 10-10 and 5-5 in the Heart (South).

In the beginning stages of the game the Bobcats raced out to an 11-2 lead thanks to a couple of three-point jump shots from Jibril Harris (Chicago). Later in the first half the Bobcats would go on a 7-0 run to make the score 24-9.

The Bobcat lead would balloon all the way up to 17 leading 32-15 with just under eight minutes to play. After that the Bobcats would only score six points for the rest of the half as the Pioneers would mount an 11-2 run into the break only trailing by five 38-33.

Early in the second half the Pioneers climbed out of their five-point hole and tied the game at 40 with 16:49 to play from a two-point jumper from Cameron Brady. It was a back-and-forth affair for much of the early stages of the second half.

The Bobcats then would go on a 6-0 run making the score 55-45 with eight minutes left to play in the half. The Bobcats got the lead all the way up to 11 points at 60-49 before the Pioneers started to claw their way back into the game.

The Bobcats would only score four more points the rest of the half as the Pioneers tried to mount a comeback. MidAmerica Nazarene cut the lead from 13 and ended up tying the game at 62 apiece. The Bobcats would score a layup by guard Donzell Johnson (Bloomington, Ind.) putting the Bobcats up 64-62 and eventually winning the game.

Johnson had a good night for the Bobcats as he put in 11 points and the game-winning layup on Saturday. Guard Troy Houghton (Omaha) was the leading scorer for the Bobcats with 14 points and was close to a double-double with nine rebounds. Guard Skyler Wilson (Omaha) for the Bobcats was third player in double-figures as he contributed 11 points. In addition to Houghton grabbing nine rebounds, Harris and Wilson each had six boards.

Both teams shot well from the field as Peru State was 26-of-55 good for 47.3%. The Pioneers shot 22-of-48 from the field as they were 45.8%. Neither team shot the ball well from the three-point line as the Bobcats were 5-of-20 form the field good for 25% and the Pioneers were 4-of-20 for a 20% clip. The Bobcats were 7-of-9 from the line shooting 77.8% and the Pioneers were 14-of-19 for 73.7%.

Here is what head coach Bob Ludwig had to say after the close win.

"We've been on the wrong side of a lot of close games," said Ludwig. "So, it was great to see the guys grind out a much-needed win. I was really pleased with their defensive effort."

Coach Ludwig had this to say about the big upcoming game against William Penn Wednesday night who is 19-1 overall and 10-1 in the Heart (North). Presently, the Statesmen are ranked second in the NAIA Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll.

"I hope the campus community will come out strong in support of these guys on Wednesday night as we take on a really special William Penn team."

Peru State hosts William Penn Wednesday night January 26 at 7:30 p.m. The Bobcats have won two of their last three after a four-game skid and look for that trend to continue Wednesday night.