Park University's men's basketball program went to Peru, Neb. to face (RV) Peru State College on Saturday, falling in overtime to the 2024 Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament Champion 93-91.

The Pirates move to 5-6 on the season and 4-3 in the Heart. After winning two in a row against William Penn University and MidAmerica Nazarene University to end November, the Pirates have now lost two in a row against Benedictine College and now Peru State. The Bobcats are No. 3 in the Heart standings at 9-2 and 5-2 in conference play, while the Pirates are in the No. 6 spot.

There were five lead changes in the first six minutes of the game with the fifth lead change coming by a pair of free-throws by Jasigha Barnes at the 14:03 mark. Christian Bradford would follow that up with a layup for the 12-9 lead, but the Bobcats answered immediately with a three-pointer to tie. Two more lead changes would come up before Park's 4-0 run by Barnes and Jaden Robinson gave the Pirates a three-point lead, 17-14. For the half, 12 lead changes would take place and it seemed both sides had the response for the moment. After Abubakar Kromah tied the game on a layup at 7:42, 25-25, the Bobcats took the lead for the final time in the first half with a dunk at 7:19. Barnes kept it close with a three-pointer at 6:22 to help Park come within one, 29-28, but in the last 5:33 of the half the Bobcats took a six-point lead after a 13-8 run to close the half.

Coming into the second half Peru State led 42-36 and both teams were off to the races out of the gate. The Bobcats and Park alternated three-pointers, including one from Jacob Barnett. Robinson would help keep the game within reach with a converted and-one at 16:57 to make it 48-44. An 8-0 run would be brought on by the Pirates over a three-minute period to take the lead with a Barnes layup at 13:20, 52-50. This would be a high intense second half with scoring in spades. The Pirates had the edge from the field in the second half shooting 62.1-percent, while the Bobcats were hot from three-point range at seven-of-12. Neither team would lead by more than a couple possessions going down the home stretch, until the Bobcats hit a three-pointer o go up five points in the last 59 seconds, 82-77. A bucket by Kromah and free-throws by Robinson put Park within a point with seven seconds left, 82-81. The Bobcats only managed to hit on the front-end of their free-throws the other direction, setting up Kromah for the tying shot to send the game to overtime, 83-83.

Kromah got Park a three-point lead in overtime with a free-throw and a layup off of a Shawndale Ross offensive rebound, 86-83. A 6-0 run may have been the difference maker for the Bobcats to flip the lead for the last time. Tristan McRoberts had a clutch five points, including an and-one to tie the game at 91-91, but with eight seconds, the Bobcats drove the lane for a layup to take a 93-91 lead. McRoberts had the last second jump shot opportunity, but it would not fall and the Bobcats fended off Park, 93-91.

Park shot 53-percent from the field to Peru State's 48.6-percent, while the Bobcats had 10 more three-pointers made.

Park had an eight point advantage in free-throws with 18-of-23 to Peru State's 10-of-12.

Both teams took care of the ball neither side had more than eight turnovers. Points off turnovers and second chance points were also under 10 for both teams.

Bench points were relatively even, 23 for Park and 27 for the Bobcats.

Four Pirates were at 15 points or higher for the game and five Pirates were in double-figure scoring. Barnes led Park with 19 points, while Barnett and Robinson had 18-point days. Kromah found his rhythm going seven-of-11 from the field for 15 points as well.

Bradford led the rebounding effort with eight boards.

Park will host Central Methodist University on Wednesday, December 11 in Breckon Sports Center at 7:30pm to continue Heart play. WATCH
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