Pioneers Fall in Semis

The Basics
Score: MNU 67 - Peru State 71
Record: MNU (25-5), PSC (18-11)
Location: Cook Center - Olathe, Kan.

OLATHE, Kan. – MNU had their 17-game win streak snapped in the semifinals of the Heart Tournament on Friday. 5-seed Peru State opened the game on a 10-0 run, and the Pioneers were scoreless after 5 minutes of play. MNU fought back and controlled the next 10 minutes of play to take a 23-18 lead at the 6:40 mark. The Pioneers led by 7 with 1:42 left, but Peru scored the last 4 points of the half to trail by just 3 at the break.

The 2nd half was tight and MNU held a 1-point lead with 8:30 remaining. But the Pioneers went cold, and couldn't manage another field goal for the next 6 minutes. Peru scratched together a few buckets during the drought to take an 8-point lead, and the Pioneers were in desperation mode. The lead was still 8 with 48 seconds left, but MNU made one final push. Two Anthony Brown free throws and an Ed Wright 3-pointer cut the defict to 3 with 30 seconds left, and Peru turned over the inbounds pass to give MNU the ball. The Pioneers scored quickly to make it a 1-point game, but Peru hit their free throws to get it back to 3. MNU's final 3-point rimmed off, and the Bobcats held on to win by 4.

Turning Point
Peru's 10-1 run late in the 2nd half turned a 1-point deficit into an 8-point lead.

Inside the Box Score
The Pioneers were 1-10 from 3-point range.

Individual Leaders
Caleb Jones-McCrary had 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists. Ed Wright added 17 points. And Anthony Brown had 14 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals.
 
Up Next
The next game is the 1st Round of the NAIA National Tournament. The Pioneers earned a host bid and will play an opponent to be determined at home on Friday, March 15 at 7:30. The two Friday winners will face off on Saturday the 16th at 7:00 for a trip to the Final Site in Kansas City.