PERU, Neb. – A put-back at the buzzer gave Peru State an 86-84 victory over Evangel Saturday afternoon in Heart of American Athletic Conference men’s basketball action.
The Crusaders and Bobcats battled back and forth in a game that saw 13 ties and 18 lead changes.
Evangel took a 43-40 lead into the locker room at halftime and responded to shoot 50 percent from the field in the second half. However, Peru State shot 51 percent in the second frame and got 11-second chance points to the Crusaders 3 to help seal the win.
The Crusaders shot 33 percent from behind the three-point arc as Nick Yocum scored a team-high 18 points. Yocum was 4-of-13 from behind the arc while the Bobcats made 11 three-pointers as a team and shot 44 percent.
Josiah Thomas added 15 points and two rebounds for Evangel as Cody Geiger and Josue Levey also finished in double figures with 10 and 11 points respectively.
Matej Delianc led all players with 25 points going 4-of-6 from behind the three-point line as well.
Evangel won the turnover battle forcing 14 Bobcat turnovers while turnover the ball just nine times on offense. However, Peru State edged the Crusaders 39-24 in the rebounding battle and in points in the paint 38-30.
Up Next
The Crusaders return to Springfield for a Heart matchup with Avila on Wednesday. Tipoff from the Ashcroft Center is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
