(Peru, Neb.)- The Peru State Men's Basketball Bobcats faced off against the William Penn Statesmen on January 3, 2026. The Bobcats secured a hard-earned win with an 88-84 final score, improving their season record to 9-7 overall and 5-4 in the conference.

The game kicked off with dynamic plays from both sides. In the opening period, Peru State took the lead with a layup by Christian Tidiane and managed to maintain an advantage, ending the first half ahead with a scoreline of 47-42. Ashton Lovette spotlighted his defensive skills with a block and rebound that contributed significantly to the Bobcats' early momentum. The biggest lead in the first period was 9 points in favor of Peru State.

The second period saw several lead changes, but William Penn briefly took the lead before Peru State regained control. Key plays included Denim Johnson's crucial layup assisted by Lovette, which kept the Bobcats in command. Victor Lado's performance in the closing minutes with decisive free throws and a dunk ensured the Bobcats' victory. Lado and Lovette were the top scorers, contributing 21 and 28 points respectively.