Box Score (Peru, Neb.) – It was a tight contest throughout, but the Peru State men's basketball team ended up losing their first home contest of the season Saturday afternoon.
 
The visiting Evangel Valor (12-4, 5-2 Heart South) handed the 'Cats their second-straight loss and their first home loss of 21-22 66-61. Peru State dropped to 8-9 on the season and 3-4 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) North.
 
First Half Action
 
The Valor scored the first four points of the contest before Isaac Simpson (Papillion) hit a trey off the assist from SJ Allison Jr. (Dallas) at the 17:49 point of the first half. Evangel would expand their lead to 12-5 forcing a Bobcat timeout with 16:20 remaining in the first 20 minutes.
 
The Valor lead would move out to 16-5 before Troy Houghton (Omaha) hit a layup with 13:53 on the clock. Evangel expanded the lead to 13 at 20-7 before Henry Tanksley (Lincoln) made a layup which was followed by a trey from Skyler Wilson (Omaha) forcing a Valor timeout with 11:54 to go in the half.
 
Later, Peru State would be back within three at 22-19 after Ajantae Hogan (Lincoln) made a layup. Later, Hogan would tie the game at 22 with a trey off the assist from Houghton.
 
Evangel would break the tie with a three-pointer and would continue to lead the remainder of the half. After 20 minutes, the Valor led 36-32.
 
Second Half Action
 
Houghton would score the first point of the second half as he hit one of two charity tosses. Evangel would go on a 5-0 scoring run to extend their lead to eight at 41-33 with 18:20 to go in the contest.
 
The teams would trade buckets for the next seven minutes until the 'Cats pulled within one after Donzell Johnson hit a pair of free throws at the 11:09 mark. Evangel led 48-47 at that point.
 
Peru State was still within one at 52-51 at the 8:36 point after Tanksley hit a layup on the assist from Houghton.
 
Later, with 2:32 on the clock, Evangel had extended their lead to six at 62-56 before Hogan drained a trey off the assist from Simpson. Later, Wilson hit a pair of free throws and the Bobcats trailed by one with 53 ticks on the clock at 62-61.
 
Evangel would make four free throws down the stretch while Peru State could not find the bucket as the Valor picked up the road win.
 
Statistics
 
Peru State actually shot the ball better from the floor than the Valor as they made 20 of 45 field goals for 44.4% including hitting 8 of 22 from long distance. In addition, the Bobcats made 13 of 18 free throws for 72.2%.
 
The Bobcats grabbed two more boards than the Valor. The big difference in the contest was that Peru State committed 19 turnovers – ten more than Evangel who scored 15 points of the Bobcat miscues.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Three Bobcats finished in double figures. Hogan led the way with 16 points off the bench. Dedoch Chan (Minneapolis) and Houghton each added 11 points.
 
Chan led the way with seven rebounds while Wilson grabbed six. Wilson dished out five assists with Houghton handing out four dimes. Wilson also led the team with two steals.
 
Houghton and Simpson were each credited with one block.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
Peru State will be on the road Wednesday as they face Culver-Stockton in Canton, Mo., at 7:30 p.m. The Wildcats are presently 11-5 overall, but just 2-5 in the Heart North.
 
Saturday, the Bobcats will be hosting the Park Pirates from Parkville, Mo. Park is 7-5 on the season and is 2-4 in the Heart South.