The Peru State College (PSC) Bobcat women's basketball team got into the win column in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) with a home win over the visiting Culver-Stockton College (CSC) Wildcats. The 'Cats defeated CSC 72-68 in an up-and-down-the-court race.
With the win, PSC improves to 4-7 overall, snapping a six-game losing streak and improves to 1-2 in the HAAC. Culver-Stockton falls to 4-6 overall and 0-3 in conference play.
The Wildcats got on the board first at the 18:25 mark in the first half. It was almost 90 seconds later before PSC would tie it on a bucket by
PSC would score the next six points on buckets by Osuala, Ward, and two free throws by
Lauren Andrews (Omaha), making it PSC 8-2 with 15:51 left in the half.
The 'Cats would build the lead to 15 at 22-7 as
Karlee Stuart (Las Animas, Colo.) made a lay-up on the assist from Osuala. PSC would again lead by 15 at 26-11 before the Wildcats closed the half with a 13-5 run. Peru State led 31-24 after the first 20 minutes.
At the start of the second half, PSC built a 13-point advantage at 42-29 after a field goal by Ward from
Jasmine Lockwood (Sunrise, Fla.) with 17:39 left in the game.
The Wildcats responded with a 13-2 run to make it 44-42 with 11:43 remaining in the second stanza. PSC kept the lead until CSC hit two free throws to go ahead 51-50 with 8:44 left. The teams traded buckets with Culver-Stockton leading by three at 58-55 with 5:52 left in the game.
PSC tied it with a free throw by Andrews and then two free throws by
Jasmine Tate (Fayetteville, N.C.). With 5:02 remaining, it was 58-58.
Stuart gave the lead back to PSC after hitting a bucket and then the free throw after she was fouled. The 'Cats led 61-58 with 3:45 left. This lead was short-lived as the Wildcats hit a three on their next possession to knot it at 61-61 with 3:25 remaining.
The teams would be tied again at 65-65 with 1:46 left before PSC would take the lead for good as Osuala hit a trey on the assist from Stuart, making it 68-65 with 1:12 left.
PSC extended its lead to 72-65 before the Wildcats made a trey with eight ticks left on the clock.
That would be all of the scoring in the game as the clock ran out after PSC missed two free throws and the 'Cats prevailed 72-68.
Game Statistics
The Wildcats outshot the Bobcats in every category, but PSC made more points at the free throw line – something that has not occurred in too many of Peru State's games this year.
CSC hit 24 of 59 from the field for 40.7% while PSC made 25 of 74 for 33.8%. From behind the arc, the Wildcats were six of 18 for 33.3% compared to PSC's two of seven for 28.6%. At the charity stripe, the Wildcats were 14 of 20 for 70%. Peru State made 20 of 35 for 57.1%.
The Bobcats grabbed 42 rebounds, besting CSC's 36. Both teams struggled with turnovers as the Wildcats committed 33 while PSC had 20.
Individual Statistics
Five Bobcats finished in double figures and were led by Osuala who finished with a team-high 22 points. Osuala almost had a double double as she had nine steals and grabbed four rebounds.
Also in double figures were Tate and Stuart with 11 each and Andrews and Ward with ten each. Ward finished with a double double as she grabbed ten rebounds – a game-high. In addition, Ward blocked a game-high five shots.
CULVER-STOCKTON BOX SCORE
Upcoming Games
The Bobcats will be playing three more games before the end of 2012. They will take a week off for finals and then will travel to Vermillion, S.D. to face NCAA DI University of South Dakota. Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Then, on Dec. 18, PSC will look to avenge an earlier season loss when they travel to face the Columbia College Lady Cougars. Game time for the rematch is 7 p.m. in Columbia, Mo.
Peru State will host a women and men's double header on New Year's Eve when the Bobcat teams host the Fighting Indians from Haskell Indian Nations University of Lawrence, Kan. Game time for the women's game is noon with the men's game to follow approximately 25 minutes after the conclusion of the women's game.
