(Peru, Neb.) – After having the lead for most of the first half, the Peru State College (PSC) Bobcat women's basketball game dropped its fifth straight Heart of America Conference (HAAC) game 80-63 at the hands of the Missouri Valley College Vikings.  The game was played in Marshall, Mo.
 
With the win, Missouri Valley improved to 2-2 in the HAAC and 6-8 overall.  Peru State has yet to win a game this season and is 0-5 in conference play and 0-17 overall.
 
Game Action
 
The Bobcats got on the board first as Courtney Ward (Bartlesville, Okla.) made a jumper and was fouled on the play.  Ward sunk the free throw giving the 'Cats a 3-0 lead.  The Vikings came back with a fury and had 7-0 run putting Mo Valley on top 7-3 with 17:26 left in the first half.
 
Peru State came back with a run of their own putting up an 9-0 effort of their own taking a 12-7 lead with 15:36 which was capped with a three-point play by Jasmine Tate (Fayetteville, Okla.).  Mo Valley came back to put in a bucket cutting it to 12-9.  That did not deter the Bobcats as they put in a couple of buckets by Ward and Tate giving them a 16-9 cushion at the 12:46 mark.
 
Off a Bobcat turnover, Mo Valley scored to stop the four-point run, but it was countered by another hoop by Ward giving PSC an 18-11 lead at 12:10 left in the opening stanza.
 
From that point, the 'Cats went on a 9-3 run giving them a 27-15 at the 7:29 point in the first half.  Ward and Katie Potter (Omaha) had both put in two free throws at the end of the run.  This is the biggest lead the Bobcats have enjoyed in HAAC action this year.
 
The Vikings countered with a three-pointer cutting it to 27-18.  PSC came back and Ward put back a 'Cat miss making it 29-18.  Mo Valley went on an 8-0 run cutting it to 29-26 before Karlee Stuart (McClave, Colo.) hit one of two free throws giving PSC a 30-26 lead with 3:05 left in the first half.
 
Over the last three minutes of the half, the Vikings came back with a 7-2 run to take lead at 33-32 lead on a bucket with two ticks left on the first half clock.
 
At the start of the second half, the Vikings took the ball and went in to score giving them a 35-32 lead.  Two quick fouls were then called on Ward, one offensive and one defensive forcing Ward to go to the bench with just over 19 minutes left in the game.  Ward had been the game's leading scorer in the first half with 13 points to lead both teams.
 
An 8-2 run by Mo Valley run extended their largest lead of game at 43-34 with 15:45 to go in the game.  Tate counted with a field goal to cut it to 43-36, but the Vikings responded with a three to put it back to a ten-point lead at 46-36.
 
The Vikings would score another six points before Potter could finally get a bucket for the 'Cats making it 52-38 with just over 11 minutes left.  Over the course of the next couple of minutes, PSC outscored Mo Valley 9-8 cutting it to a 60-47 deficit.  After a foul and Viking timeout, Stuart made one of two free throws making it 60-48.
 
The Bobcats were able to score the next five points getting it to a seven-point deficit at 60-53 with 6:35 remaining on the clock.  The Vikings countered with five points stretching their lead to 65-53 with 4:49 left.  Stuart cut the deficit, as she was able to put down two free throws making it a ten-point deficit at 65-55.
 
Unfortunately for the Bobcats, the Vikings proved too much for the rest of the game as they finished the game with a 15-8 run taking the 80-63 victory.

 Team Statistics
 
While the Bobcats shot better in all categories than in their recent games, the Vikings did better where it counted.  Mo Valley was 25 of 64 from the floor for 39.1% while PSC was 20 of 56 for 35.7%.  PSC did do better from behind the arc than the Vikings making three of 11 attempts for 27.3% while Mo Valley was four of 19 for 21.1%.  Both teams had plenty of trips to the free throw line.  Mo Valley made 26 of 39 for 66.7% while Peru State was 20 of 32 for 62.5%.
 
The Vikings dominated the boards as they grabbed 52 caroms compared to PSC's 35.  Turnovers were nearly even as the Bobcats had 24 while Mo Valley committed 23.  The Vikings blocked one more shot than the 'Cats as they swatted away two attempts.

GAME BOX SCORE
 
Individual Statistics
 
Three Bobcats finished in double figures and were led by Potter with 18.  Potter was five of 12 from the field, including two of six from behind the arc.  After struggling earlier in the year at the line, Potter was a perfect six of six for the game.  Potter added four rebounds and two assists.
 
Also in double figures were Ward and Tate as they finished with 15 and 11 respectively.  Ward managed to score only two points in the second half after getting into foul trouble at the beginning of the second stanza.  Ward finished with four rebounds while Tate had six boards, five steals, and five assists.
 
The Bobcats were led in rebounding by Amelia Allington (Ashland) who grabbed eight boards.  Allington scored one point in the game.
 
Upcoming Games
 
Next week, the Bobcats will play two games.  On Thursday, Jan. 12, PSC will take on the Benedictine College Ravens with the game beginning at 5:30 p.m.  That following Saturday, the 'Cats will host Avila University.  The game with the Eagles will begin at 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.