(Peru, Neb.) – For the first 30 minutes of the game Saturday afternoon, the Peru State men's basketball team hung right with the visiting Missouri Valley Vikings. However, in the next ten minutes, the Vikings were able to pull ahead and maintain a lead which led them to a 93-84 win over the Bobcats.

With the win, Missouri Valley finished its season with a 9-13 overall record and finished 7-10 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) South Division. Peru State completed its 2020-21 year with a 9-15 mark overall and went 5-14 in the Heart North.

First Half Action

The Vikings jumped to a 5-0 lead before Skyler Wilson (Omaha) hit a bucket for the 'Cats at the 18:34 mark. Mo Valley would stretch their lead to seven at 14-7 before Isaac Simpson (Papillion) hit a trey off an assist from Wilson and then Ta'Vion Anderson (Omaha) drained one, too, off an assist from DJ Fields (Omaha) to pull the 'Cats within one at 14-13.

Peru State would take its first lead on their next possession as Henry Tanksley (Lincoln) hit a bucket on a fast break.

The game would later be tied at 19, 23, and 28 before Tyler Witt (Falls City) hit a bucket in the paint to put Peru State in the lead at 30-28 at the 8:08 mark.

Later, the contest was tied at 38 before the Vikings scored a bucket. Tanksley would hit one of two free throws and then hit a bucket to put Peru State up 41-40 at halftime.

Second Half Action

Missouri Valley hit a trey to start the second half before Tyrece Griggs (Omaha) tied it with a bucket in the paint off an assist from Wilson. The Vikings came right back with another three-pointer and actually never trailed the rest of the contest.

With 10:28 remaining, the Vikings led 69-59 before Griggs drained a trey and then Tanksley hit one in the paint to pull Peru State within five. That would be as close as Peru State could get the rest of the way.

MISSOURI VALLEY GAME BOOK

Team Statistics

Both teams shot the ball well from the floor as Peru State actually shot the ball better from the floor and free throw line. The Bobcats made 31 of 54 field goals for 57.4% including hitting 6 of 19 from long range for 31.6%. At the free throw line, the 'Cats went 16 of 20 for 80%. Missouri Valley made 31 of 60 field goal attempts for 51.7% and were very efficient from behind the arc making 9 of 20 for 45%. At the charity stripe, the Vikings were 22 of 30 for 73.3%.

The Bobcats had a big advantage in rebounding as they grabbed 34 boards compared to 22 for the Vikings. Missouri Valley dished out 19 assists while the 'Cats finished with 13.

The biggest difference in the contest was that the Bobcats had 24 turnovers on which Missouri Valley scored 25 points. The Vikings finished with 11 turnovers.

Peru State blocked five shots and had eight steals while the Vikings had one block and 17 steals.

Peru Individual Statistics

Simpson led four Bobcats in double-figure scoring with 18 on 6 of 10 shooting. Griggs added 15 with Tanksley and Wilson contributing 12 and 11 respectively.

Amitai Afenjar (Los Angeles) and Wilson each finished with eight game-high rebounds while Tanksley finished with seven. Simpson also grabbed five boards.

Wilson dished out four assists with Fields handing out three and Simpson two.

Simpson had a career-high five blocks for the 'Cats.

Wilson grabbed three steals while Griggs had two.

Season Completed

Peru State finished its season by losing nine straight. The bright spot looking to the 2021-22 season is that all but Simpson will return for the Bobcats. There is the possibility Simpson could return as well, but that will be determined later.