(Peru, Neb.) – It was a game of runs. But, the runs made by the Peru State College (PSC) Bobcat women's basketball team proved to be too much for the visiting Benedictine College (BC) Ravens.
The Bobcat women pulled off their second straight upset as they defeated the Ravens 79-69 in the Al Wheeler Activity Center (AWAC).
With the win, PSC improves to 4-23 overall and 4-11 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC). Benedictine fell to 8-6 in the HAAC and 13-12 overall. However, for the Ravens, they remain in a solid fourth in the ten-team conference race. Unfortunately for the Bobcats, they were not able to make up any ground toward the post-season as they remain in tenth in the conference standings.
Game Action
After taking the opening tip, the Bobcats went down the court and
Courtney Ward (Bartlesville, Okla.) put in a bucket in the paint off the assist from
Jasmine Tate (Fayetteville, N.C.). A Raven turnover led to a fast-break bucket by
Karlee Stuart (Las Animas, Colo.) making it 4-0 PSC at the 18:48 mark in the first half.
Grabbing an offensive rebound, Ward put it back up and in giving PSC a six-point advantage forcing Benedictine to take a timeout with 17:34 left in the half. Out of the timeout, BC missed a three-point try. The Bobcats pushed it down the court and
Jasmine Lockwood (Sunrise, Fla.) hit a three-pointer putting PSC on top 9-0. Another defensive rebound by Ward led to another Stuart hoop and PSC led 11-0 at the 16:30 point.
Benedictine then went on a 7-0 run to cut it to a four-point lead at 11-7 with 15 minutes left in the half and Bobcat head coach Maurtice Ivy called her team's first timeout. Out of the timeout, PSC scored the next five points on a bucket by Katie Potter
(Omaha) and an old-fashioned three-point play by Stuart. This put PSC on top 16-7.
The Ravens then put together a 12-2 run giving them their first lead of the game, 19-18, with 8:14 left in the first stanza.
Natasha Moss (Indianapolis) hit a hoop about one minute later to put PSC back on top at 20-19 on the assist by Tate.
Another bucket by Moss from Ward gave PSC a three-point cushion at 22-19 with 5:39 left in the half. A Bobcat foul put the Ravens at the line where they made both making it a one-point game again at 22-21. Another hoop by BC gave them the lead at 23-22 with just under four minutes remaining in the half.
With 2:40 left, Ward hit another two on an assist from Stuart, putting PSC up 24-23. A trey by the Ravens gave them back the lead at 26-24 and was followed by another bucket giving them a 28-24 lead, their largest lead of the half with 68 ticks left.
A block by Ward on the last-second shot by BC kept the Bobcat deficit at 28-24 at halftime.
Over 90 seconds was off the second half clock before either team got on the board. Moss hit two free throws after being fouled cutting it to 28-26. On their next possession, BC scored to go back up by four at 30-26.
Moss and Ward each hit one of two free throws cutting it to 30-28 Benedictine before Potter hit a trey regaining the lead for the Bobcats at 31-30 with 16:06 left in the game.
A PSC turnover led to a bucket by BC as the lead changed again with the Ravens leading 32-31. BC missed the free throw attempt, PSC took it down the court, and Stuart hit a hoop putting PSC back up 33-32 at the 15:16 mark.
Two free throws by the Ravens changed the lead again with BC now on top 34-33.
Two free throws by Ward and a bucket by Moss gave PSC the lead at 37-34. The Ravens had a 3-0 run to tie it up at 37 each. The 'Cats countered with a trey by Sydney Young
(Omaha) gave PSC a three-point cushion at 40-37.
The teams traded points over the next couple of minutes with PSC still leading 45-42 until Tai'ler Warren
(Omaha) hit the second of her two free throw attempts to make it PSC 46-42 with 9:50 left in the game.
On BC's next possession, they were able to capitalize to make it a two-point deficit at 46-44. After getting her own rebound, Potter put it back up and was fouled. Potter canned both charity attempts giving PSC a 48-44 lead at the 8:47 mark.
A bucket by Ward and a three-pointer by Tate gave PSC a nine-point lead at 53-44 with 7:36 to go. Benedictine hit one free throw, but PSC came down the court and Moss hit a bucket and was fouled. Moss went to the line and completed the old-fashioned three –point play making it 56-45. This matched PSC's largest lead of the game of 11 points with just over seven minutes left.
Another 4-0 run by BC got them back to within seven at 56-47 before Potter hit another trey putting PSC up 59-47 with just over six minutes left. Again, the Ravens had another 4-0 run cutting the deficit to eight at 59-51 before Potter made one of two free throws with just over five minutes left putting PSC up 60-51.
Benedictine did get back within four with 3:38 left, but PSC put it away at the free throw line down the stretch and eventually won the game 79-69.
Team Statistics
Peru State finished with one of its better shooting percentages of the season as they made 22 of 52 shots for 42.3%, which included making 52.4% of their second-half attempts. From behind the arc, the 'Cats made five of 13 of 38.5%. At the charity stripe, saw another one of their best of the year for PSC, as the Bobcats made 30 of 41 for 73.2%.
The Ravens shot 34.4% from field goal range canning 21 of 61. BC hit six of 22 three-pointers for 27.3%. At the free throw line, Benedictine made 21 of 30 for 70%.
The Bobcats outrebounded the Ravens 40-33, but committed more turnovers. PSC had 26 miscues while BC had 23.
GAME BOX SCORE
Individual Statistics
Four Bobcats finished in double figures with Moss leading the way with a game- and career-high 21 points. Moss made seven of nine field goals and seven of ten free throws. In addition, Moss grabbed five rebounds.
Potter had 17 points and eight rebounds while Stuart added 12 points and two assists. Ward was the only player from either team to finish with a double-double as she had 11 points and a game-high ten caroms. Ward also blocked a game-high two shots.
Upcoming Games
Three games remain for the Bobcats in the regular season. At this point, it appears that at a minimum, PSC will need to win at least two of three and hope for some help if they are going to make it into the HAAC post-season play.
On Saturday, PSC travels to Kansas City, Mo., to face the Avila University Eagles in a game beginning at 2 p.m. The Eagles topped Evangel on Thursday and are presently tied for the conference lead at 12-3.
Next Thursday, the Bobcats will host they final home game of the season when the Graceland University YellowJackets visit the AWAC. PSC will look for the season sweep of Graceland who also have won two in a row and are one game ahead of PSC in the HAAC standings at 5-10. Game time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Prior to the game, the lone Bobcat senior, Candace Simmons, will be honored.
Feb. 25 will find the Bobcats on the road as they will travel to Springfield, Mo., to take on the Evangel University Crusaders at 2 p.m. Evangel has dropped three straight and are within striking range for PSC as the Crusaders are 6-9 in the HAAC.
