FAYETTE, Mo. (Interstat) — Raphael Gay scored 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Central Methodist Eagles to an 81-65 victory over the Peru State Bobcats in a men’s NAIA basketball game Saturday at Puckett Field House.

The Eagles used a dominant first-half offensive performance to build an insurmountable lead, improving their season record to 11-8. The loss dropped Peru State to 10-8.

Central Methodist seized control from the opening tip, shooting efficiently and capitalizing on Peru State turnovers to establish an early double-digit advantage. The Eagles’ offensive execution was crisp, resulting in a 42-point first quarter. They extended their lead by outscoring the Bobcats 39-25 in the second quarter, taking a commanding 81-65 lead into halftime.

The second half saw both teams’ offenses stall, with neither squad managing to score in the third or fourth quarters according to the provided play-by-play data. The Eagles’ massive halftime cushion proved more than enough to secure the conference win.

Gay, the top star for Central Methodist, was efficient from the field and a force on the boards, falling just one rebound short of a double-double. He was supported by a balanced scoring attack. Isaiah Reams added 18 points and five assists, while Tyson Oghene contributed 16 points, including four 3-pointers. Isaiah Bonaparte provided a significant spark off the bench with 15 points and five rebounds in just 22 minutes of play.

For Peru State, Victor Lado led the way with 12 points and eight rebounds. Quentin Wright added 14 points and Christian Tidiane finished with 11 points, five rebounds and two steals. The Bobcats struggled with ball security, committing numerous turnovers that fueled the Eagles’ transition game in the decisive first half.

The most important part of the game was Central Methodist’s explosive first-half offensive display. Their ability to score 81 points by halftime, shooting effectively from both inside and outside while converting Peru State’s mistakes into easy baskets, created a deficit the Bobcats could not overcome in a low-scoring second half.

The Interstat ELO system had given Central Methodist a slight 51.30 percent probability to win entering the contest.

Peru State will next host MidAmerica Nazarene on Wednesday. Central Methodist is scheduled to host Baker on Wednesday. The two teams are set to meet again in Peru, Nebraska, on Feb. 21.