(Fayette, Mo.)- The Peru State Men's Basketball team defeated the Central Methodist Eagles in the first round of the Heart Conference tournament, 76-72. The Bobcats are now 13-11 in the Heart of America Conference and 18-11 Overall.
 
The Bobcats came out hot for the first round as they went back and forth with the Eagles. With the help of 3-pointers by the Bobcats, the team took eight points lead early in the first half. The Eagles were able to find their way back and take a one-point lead going into halftime, 35-34.
 
The second half was a wild back and forth game for the Bobcats and Eagles, with 15 lead changes in the half. With only 1:54 on the clock, the Bobcats were down by three. Free throws by Ajantae Hogan and a made three by David Wingett Jr. put the team up by two with only 1:13 left. David Wingett Jr made a jump shot with only 40 seconds left but was followed by a Eagles jumper. With only 0:16 on the clock Carlos Hines made two free throws to bring the Bobcats lead back to four as they stopped the Eagles to win the game, 76-72.
 
David Wingett Jr led the team with 29 points with four rebounds and two assists. Ajantae Hogan had 14 points with two assists while Carlos Hines having 11 points with three rebounds. Sayvon Traylor had 13 points and six rebounds with Amir Poat having seven rebounds and six points.
 
The Bobcats will advance to the semifinals to take on MidAmerica Nazarene Friday, March 1^st. The Bobcats will Tipoff at 7:00 PM.