(Peru, Neb.) – A hot shooting Benedictine College (BC) Raven women's basketball team stretched their first half lead to 12 and then took over in the second half to dominate the Peru State College (PSC) Bobcats.  The Ravens topped the 'Cats 84-56 in Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) action in the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium on the Benedictine campus in Atchison, Kan.
 
With the win, BC evened their season record at 8-8 and improved to 3-2 in the HAAC.  The Bobcats are still looking for that elusive first win of the year and are 0-18 overall and 0-6 in the HAAC.
 
Game Action
 
Peru State took the early lead on buckets made by Courtney Ward (Bartlesville, Okla.) and Jasmine Lockwood (Sunrise, Fla.) to take a 4-0 lead, but the Ravens countered with a 5-0 run of their own to go on top 5-4.
 
The teams battled back and forth for the first eight minutes before Benedictine eventually took the lead for good at 14-13 with 11:53 to go in the first half.  The Ravens extended their lead to 14 twice in the first half before taking a 12-point lead, 39-27, at the end of the half.
 
In the second half, the Bobcats cut into the Ravens' lead twice getting within eight at 39-31 and 41-33 with 17:35 left in the game.  Unfortunately for the 'Cats, that would be as close as they would be during the remainder of the game.  The Ravens' largest lead was 30 points before eventually winning the game by the 28-point margin.

 Team Statistics
 
The Ravens found their home court to their liking as they hit 51.8% of their field goal attempts making 29 of 56.  From three-point range, BC was eight of 18 for 44.4%.  From the charity stripe, the Ravens also outshot the Bobcats making eight of 12 for 66.7%.  Overall, the Bobcats were 24 of 66 for 36.4% from the floor, but did not manage to make any of the 12 attempts from behind the arc.  The 'Cats were eight of 13 from the free throw line canning eight of 13 for 61.5%.
 
Peru State lost the rebounding battle as BC grabbed 38 compared to PSC's 27.  One category where the Bobcats did better than the Ravens was in the turnover category.  PSC only had 13 while Benedictine committed 17.  The 'Cats were not able to get any blocks against the Ravens while BC swatted away two PSC field goal tries.

GAME BOX SCORE
 
Individual Statistics
 
Only one Bobcat managed to get into double figures.  Ward finished with 14 on seven of 12 shooting, as she had to sit out different stretches of the game due to foul trouble.  In addition, Ward was PSC's leading rebounder grabbing eight caroms.
 
Katie Potter (Omaha) added nine points while Natasha Moss (Indianapolis) and Marida Lewis (Kansas City, Mo.) each added eight points.  This was Lewis's first action after being injured early last season and not playing earlier this fall.  Potter added seven assists and six rebounds while Moss grabbed two boards.
 
Next Games
 
Peru State hosts Avila University on Saturday in another HAAC match-up beginning at 2 p.m. in the Al Wheeler Activity Center.  Next Thursday, the 'Cats travel to Lamoni, Iowa, to take on the Graceland University YellowJackets at 5:30 p.m.  Then, on Saturday, Peru State hosts Evangel University at 2 p.m.  During that Saturday's game, the Youth Cheer Camp participants will be performing at halftime of the women's game.
 
All Bobcat games can be heard live on KNCY 103.1 Country Radio.  Bobcat fans can now listen to Bobcat basketball on their mobile devices by clicking on the Live Audio link on either the women or men's schedules at pscbobcats.com.  This is not an app, but rather a link through the internet.  In addition, all home games are now available via Livestream that can be accessed by linking to the Live Audio button on the same schedule.