FAYETTE, Mo. – The No. 24 Central Methodist University men's basketball team erased a 14-point deficit in the second half to avoid a loss in regulation, before battling through two overtimes in their tough loss to No. 17 Peru State at home on Saturday.

In the second half, Central Methodist (12-7, 7-6 Heart) trailed 73-59 before rattling off a 21-6 run to take an 80-79 lead. A Terrance Bush (SR/Des Moines, Iowa) three gave the Eagles a late lead before a Peru State putback as time expired sent the game to overtime.

In the first overtime, the Eagles trailed by five with 57 seconds remaining. A field goal by Josh Robinson (JR/Normal, Ill.), a Robinson free-throw, and two good charity tosses by Cameron Tutt (SR/Owensboro, Ky.) put together a 5-0 run to tie to force the second set of extra time.

A desperation three by Bush fell short as time expired in the second overtime, giving the Bobcats the narrow victory.

All of the last five matchups between Peru State and Central Methodist have been barn-burners, with all being decided by four points or fewer.

Bush led the team with a career high of 34 points, sinking a new season record of seven three-pointers. Robinson was an efficient 10-for-13 from the field and a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, totaling 28 points and finishing with a team-leading seven assists. Isaiah Thurmond (SR/Alton, Ill.) rounded out the double-digit scoring with 16 points. Tutt led the team on the glass with 13 rebounds and added eight points.

The Eagles will return to action on Thursday, Jan. 24, with a trip to No. 7 Benedictine. Tipoff is set for 7:30 pm in Atchison, Kan.