Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 Stats | The Pioneer basketball teams traveled to Peru, Nebraska and came away with a pair of conference-opening victories.
In the women's game, Peru jumped out to a 6-0 lead but MNU reeled them back in to tie it at 15. The Pioneers built a 12-point lead at halftime and the Bobcats never got within 9 for the rest of the game. The 73-64 victory keeps the Pioneers at a perfect record at 8-0.
Kelsey Balcom had a game-high 21 points to go along with 5 rebounds. And
Marlianne Louzeiro pulled down a team-high 6 rebounds off the bench.
MNU is 8-0 (1-0 HAAC). The next game is Saturday at home vs. Graceland (1-6, 0-1) at 2:00.
Stats | In the men's game, MNU took the floor without injured point guard
Nick Syrie but jumped out to a 14-7 lead. Peru State went on a 6-2 mini-run to get within 1, but MNU pulled away again with a 9-2 run. The Bobcats faught back yet again with a 13-2 run to take a 5-point lead with 2 minutes left in the first half, but the Pioneers closed the half on an 8-0 run to take a 3-point lead into the locker room.
The Pioneers pushed the lead to 9 several times but couldn't get it to double digits. Peru State would not go away and trimmed the deficit to 1 with 4:30 remaining. The Pioneers pushed the lead back to 5, but the Bobcats took advantage of some MNU missed three throws to get back within 1 with under 10 seconds to play. MNU split a pair of free throws twice around a defensive stop to win 75-72.
Conner Langrehr had 18 points and 5 rebounds.
Luke Thomas recorded another double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Rustin Dowd had 11 points and 2 steals.
Justin Collard had 10 points and 5 assists. And
Jacob French had 8 points and 10 rebounds.
The Pioneers are 8-2 (1-0 HAAC). The next game is Saturday at home vs. Graceland (3-6, 0-1) at 4:00.
