Linn lost Thursday’s game at Fayette, 66-56, but the score doesn’t reflect how close it was for the Wildcats.

“The boys played a good game,” said Coach John Viehland. “We were down early and came back to tie it up.”

Linn scored 15 in each of the first two quarters to trail 36-30 at the break. After a 19-12 third quarter, the Cats faced a 55-42 deficit in the final frame, but kept fighting.

“It was a close game until the second half,” said Viehland. “Free throws hurt us by fouling them on their shots and not stopping the ball. We have moments where we step forward and then have moments when we step back.”

Linn shot 39.6% overall, hitting four three-pointers and covering 10-15 at the stripe.

Gus Peters went 7-8 at the line and led the team with 25 points, as Nash Tyree drained three of the team’s long-range shots for nine, and Cody Heckman and Tony Peters added eight apiece. “Gus had a great game, leading both defensively and offensively,” said Viehland. “Tony is a threat inside as long as he doesn’t pick up cheap fouls.”

Peyton Peters added three points on a trey, and Kahne Brandt finished with one. G. Peters, Colton Leivian, and Brandt posted two assists apiece, and Dawson Sprenger, Aaron Starke, Heckman, and T. Peters added one each.

On the glass, T. Peters led with 10 rebounds, and Heckman snagged seven, followed by Starke (4), G. Peters (3), P. Peters (2), and Sprenger (1).

Defensively, G. Peters posted three steals, Starke had two (with a block), and Brandt and Leivian each counted one.