(Peru, Neb.)—The Peru State men's basketball team defeated Bethany College 80-74 in the Heart/KCAC/AMC Classic. The Bobcats improve to 3-1 overall, while the Swedes fall to 3-1 on the year.
Below is a breakdown of how the game went…
The Bobcats came out of the gate hot on a 9-2 run, as Troy Houghton
(Omaha) knocked in a three. The Swedes would get the game within three points before the Bobcats would extend out their lead back to seven leading 13-6 after Lorenzo Anderson
(Lithonia, Ga.) hit a layup.
Bethany then went on an 8-0 run to take its first lead of the ball game halfway through the first half. The Bobcats then went on a quick 6-0 run with a layup by Anderson, a three pointer by Jibril Harris
(Chicago) and a free throw by Harris to take a 19-14 lead.
The Swedes would get back within three points before the Bobcats went on a 7-0 run to take a 26-16 lead after a SJ Allison Jr.
(Dallas) hit a shot from downtown. Bethany than came surging back with a 17-5 run to close out the first half and take a 33-31 lead into the break stunning the Bobcats.
Peru State started the second half just as hot as the first as they went on a 7-0 run right out of halftime to take a 38-33 lead. Contributing to the run were a couple of layups by Harris, and a three-pointer by Donzell Johnson
(Bloomington, Ill.).
Bethany then went on a quick 7-3 run to get the game within one point trailing 41-40 early in the second half. The Bobcats then stretched their lead out to four after a layup by Johnson. Bethany took a 47-46 lead with around 14 minutes left in the game after a three.
The Bobcats then broke the game open with a 15-0 run highlighted by a huge dunk from Houghton as they went up 61-47, holding the Swedes scoreless for nearly seven minutes. The Swedes would then cut the deficit to nine as they trailed 62-51 with a little over five minutes to play.
Peru State then extended its lead out to 14 leading 69-55 with just over three minutes to play. A quick 5-0 run by the Swedes had the game back into single digits as they trailed 69-60.
The Swedes would get the score down to eight a few more times, but the Bobcats held on for an 80-74 victory.
Peru State shot 27-of-51 from the field shooting 52.9%, they shot 7-of-16 from beyond the arc shooting 43.8%. The Bobcats were 19-of-32 from the charity stripe shooting 59.4%.
Bethany shot 27-of-70 shooting 38.6% from the field, they shot 7-of-24 from beyond the arc shooting 29.2% and they shot 13-of-18 from the line shooting 72.2%.
The Bobcats had six players in double figures as Johnson led the way with 20 points, Harris had 16, Traylor had 14 and three players tied with 10 points, Anderson, Allison and Houghton.
Johnson and Harris tied for rebounds with seven apiece. Anderson led the way in assists with four.
The Bobcats are back in action Saturday, November 12, as they play host to Missouri Baptist in the Heart/KCAC/AMC Classic. Tip-Off is set for 6:00 p.m.
