(Peru, Neb.) – The old saying of it was a tale of two different halves was true on Saturday in the Peru State College (PSC) versus Avila University women's basketball game. 
 
Avila won the first half 35-26, but the Bobcats had a decisive second half, outscoring the Eagles 46-23 to claim a 72-58 victory in Kansas City, Mo. 
 
For the 'Cats, this was their third win in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC), making their record 3-4 in conference play and 8-11 overall.  The 3-4 mark puts PSC in a three-way tie for sixth in the HAAC with Avila and Culver-Stockton, teams that they have defeated.  Avila is 4-11 overall after the loss.
 
Game Action
 
Rachel Blair (Hubbard) got the Bobcats on the board first with a jumper at the 19:25 mark on an assist from Courtney Ward (Bartlesville, Okla.).   Avila countered with a three-pointer to take their first lead.  After several missed shots by both teams, PSC's Jasmine Tate hit a fast-break layup giving what would be PSC's final lead of the first half, 4-3, with 18:33 left in the first 20 minutes.
 
Peru State was within one at 11-10 at the 14:53 mark, but Avila hit two treys to go up 17-10.  The teams traded buckets through the rest of the second half with the Eagles extending their lead to nine at 35-26 at halftime.
 
In the second half, Peru State came storming back and started the final 20 minutes with an 11-2 run to tie it at 37-37 with 16:29 left in the game.  Two free throws by Jasmine Tate (Fayetteville, N.C.) gave PSC their first lead of the second half at 39-37. 
 
The game would be tied at 39-39 and then at 42-42 before Adaugo Osuala (Lakewood, Colo.) hit a three-pointer to give PSC the lead for the remainder of the game.  With 13:01 left, PSC led 45-42 and led by as many as 16 before winning 72-58.
 
Team Statistics
 
The Bobcats connected on 40.3% of their field goal tries making 29 of 71, which included shooting even better from three-point range.  PSC made seven of 17 treys for 41.2%.  The 'Cats struggled again at the free throw line hitting only seven of 16 for 43.8%.
 
Avila made 20 of 61 field goals for 32.8%, but like the 'Cats, shot better from long range.  The Eagles made nine of 25 three-pointers for 36%.  At the charity stripe, the Eagles made nine of 13 tries for 69.2%.
 
PSC outrebounded Avila 50 to 39 and forced the Eagles into 16 turnovers while only committing 13 as a team.  Avila had nine steals compared to PSC's six while the Bobcats blocked two Avila field goal attempts.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Playing with nine players for the first time in five games, the Bobcats had eight finishing in the scoring column.  Osuala led the team with 19 points, grabbed four rebounds, and had two steals. 
 
Also in double figures were Karlee Stuart (Las Animas, Colo.) with 18 points and Ward with ten points.  Stuart had a team-high four assists and added four rebounds.  Ward had a game-high 13 rebounds and blocked one shot.

AVILA BOX SCORE
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will be hosting the Graceland University YellowJackets on Thursday, Jan. 17, with the game beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Al Wheeler Activity Center.  The YellowJackets are still searching for their first HAAC win and are 2-13 overall.  Graceland lost at home to Baker University 78-40 on Saturday.
 
Then, on Saturday, Jan. 19, PSC will travel to Springfield, Mo., to take on the Evangel University Lady Crusaders at 2 p.m.  Currently, the Lady Crusaders are 3-3 in the HAAC and 4-8 overall.   Evangel lost a close one on Saturday at Culver-Stockton by the score of 56-53.