(Peru, Neb.) – When most everything clicks for any team, good things happen.  That was the case for the Peru State College (PSC) Bobcat women's basketball team as they put together a good game and defeated the home team, Graceland University (GU) YellowJackets 80-50.
 
For the Bobcats, this was their first win of the season and first in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC).  Presently, the 'Cats are 1-19 overall and 1-7 in the HAAC.  The YellowJackets fall to 8-6 overall and 3-5 in the conference.  PSC is still on the bottom of the HAAC standings, but is well within striking distance of making the conference playoffs if they can put together a run in the second half of the HAAC season.
 
Game Action
 
The Bobcats scored the first ten points of the game to initially take control of the contest.  Off a GU turnover, freshman Karlee Stuart (McClave, Colo.) canned a three-pointer on an assist from Katie Potter (Omaha).   Another Graceland turnover led to a Potter three-pointer on the assist from Jasmine Tate (Fayetteville, N.C.).  Potter then rebounded a missed GU shot and eventually fed the ball to Jasmine Lockwood (Sunrise, Fla.) who put in the field goal.  Stuart capped off the ten-point start with another bucket before Graceland got on the board at the 16:02 mark cutting PSC's lead to 10-2. 
 
Following a Courtney Ward (Bartlesville, Okla.) free throw to put Peru State up 11-2, the YellowJackets went on a 6-0 run to cut the Bobcat lead to 11-8 with just under 13 minutes to go in the half.
 
The Bobcats stormed back with a 7-0 run of their own to go back up by double digits 18-8 which was started with another bucket by Ward, then a three-pointer by Syndey Young (Omaha), and ended with another field goal by Marida Lewis (Kansas City, Mo.).   
 
During the rest of the first half, the Bobcats stretched their lead to 15 on two different occasions before Graceland cut into the lead some by halftime.  After the first 20 minutes, PSC led 41-31.
 
The YellowJackets came out determined in the second half and scored the first six points making it 41-37 with less than two minutes gone in the half.  Lewis scored the first Bobcat bucket of the half that stopped the Graceland run.  The YellowJackets went completely cold and would not score for the next ten minutes allowing the Bobcats to jump to a 65-37 lead with 8:53 left in the game.
 
Peru State's largest lead came when Ward hit a bucket putting the 'Cats up 76-45 with 2:56 left in the game before the Bobcats claimed their first win of the year.
 
Team Statistics
 
The Bobcats had one of their best games of the year from the floor as they made 51.7% of their 60 shots from the field having made 31 tries.  This included going seven of 12 from behind the arc for 46.7%.  The only poor showing shooting-wise was from the line as PSC went 11 of 20 for 55%.
 
Graceland, on their home court, had an off night making only 18 of 68 field goal tries for 26.5%, which included making only six of 33 tries in the second half.  From three-point range, the YellowJackets managed four of 23 attempts for 17.4%.  GU did out-shoot the Bobcats at the charity stripe making ten of 18 for 55.6%.
 
Peru State had a big edge rebounding against the taller GU squad grabbing 54 boards compared to the YellowJackets' 37.  Both teams had 19 turnovers and PSC blocked two Graceland attempts.

GAME BOX SCORE
 
Individual Statistics
 
Lewis finished with a game- and career-high 24 points going nine of 12 from the floor and three of five from behind the arc.  Lewis did struggle from the free throw line making only three of eight tries.  In addition, Lewis dished out three assists, grabbed one steal, and one rebound.
 
Ward and Potter both finished with double-doubles.  Ward had 12 points and 15 rebounds.  Her nine defensive rebounds were a season-high.  In addition, Ward blocked two shots.
 
Potter's 11 caroms were all defensive and both were season highs.  Potter dished out a team-high six assists, along with Tate.
 
Upcoming Games
 
On Saturday, Jan. 21, the Bobcats will host the Evangel University Crusaders in a HAAC contest beginning at 2 p.m.  The game against the Crusaders will end the first half of HAAC action.  During the halftime of the women's game, the Bobcat cheerleaders' youth campers will be performing for the entertainment of the crowd.
 
Next Thursday, Jan. 26, PSC will be at home hosting the league leaders, MidAmerica Nazarene University Pioneers.  Game time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.  Thursday night will be Staff Appreciation Night for Peru State College employees.
 
Then, on Saturday, Jan. 28, the 'Cats will travel to Fayette, Mo., to play the Central Methodist University Eagles.  Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m.
 
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.