The Basics
Score: Peru State 68, MNU 66
Record: MNU (10-9, 5-6), Peru State (11-8, 7-5)
Location: Peru, Neb. – Al Wheeler Activity Center
PERU, Neb. – A tightly contested conference battle came down to the final seconds, but MNU fell just short in a 68–66 road loss to Peru State on Wednesday. The Pioneers took a 37-32 lead into halftime, but the Bobcats quickly erased the deficit and the game was tied at 49 with 12:30 remaining. Peru went on a 7-0 run to take control, but MNU chipped away and a Malachi Bryant jumper tied it with 90 seconds left.
The Pioneers got a stop and hit a free throw to take the lead, and Peru split a pair of free throws with 5 seconds left to tie it. The missed second free throw was knocked out of bounds, and Peru ended up with the possession. On the inbounds play, a collision freed up a Bobcat player, and an open layup broke the tie to win the game.
Malachi Bryant led MNU with 17 points on 8-of-14 shooting and added 3 assists. Caden Kaberline scored 11 and pulled down 5 rebounds, while Isaiah Cull added 13 points and 4 boards. The Pioneers also got 11 from Landon Wagler, including 3 triples.
Turning Point
Peru's bucket in the final seconds was the difference.
Inside the Box Score
FG%: MNU 50.0%, Peru State 53.7%
3-Point FG%: MNU 40.0%, Peru State 38.9%
Free Throws: MNU 53.3%, Peru State 33.3%
Rebounds: Peru State 31, MNU 29
Assists: Peru State 11, MNU 8
Points in the Paint: Peru State 34, MNU 22
Points Off Turnovers: MNU 8, Peru State 4
Bench Points: MNU 0, Peru State 0
Individual Leaders
Malachi Bryant: 17 points, 3 assists
Isaiah Cull: 13 points, 4 rebounds
Caden Kaberline: 11 points, 5 rebounds
Landon Wagler: 11 points
Up Next
The next game is Saturday at home vs. #20 Graceland (17-3, 11-1) at 4:00.
