(Peru, Neb.) – The Pioneers of MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) built too big of a lead at halftime for the Peru State College (PSC) Bobcat women to overcome on Thursday night.  MNU won their ninth game in a row by defeating the Bobcats 84-73 in Olathe, Kan.
 
With the win, the Pioneers remain tied at the top of the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) with Benedictine College, both with 9-1 conference marks.  Overall, MNU is now 19-2.  With the loss, the Bobcats remain in fifth in the ten-team league with a 5-5 mark.  For the season, the 'Cats are 10-12.
 
Game Action
 
The Bobcats never led in the contest and only were tied once with the Pioneers, which was at 4-4 with 17:49 left in the first half.  Jasmine Tate (Fayetteville, N.C.) hit a bucket in the paint off a fast break to tie it up, but MNU quickly responded to go back on top and were never seriously challenged in the first half.
 
The Pioneers led at halftime 43-27, which was their largest lead of the first 20 minutes.
 
In the second half, MNU extended its lead to 17 at 45-28, their largest lead of the game at that point, with 19:35 remaining.  Over the course of the next three minutes, PSC fought back to single digits, having gone on a 15-6 run.  With 16:11 left, the 'Cats only trailed 51-43.
 
The Pioneers responded with another 6-0 run to lead 57-43, before once again, PSC cut it to a ten-point deficit.  However, a 15-7 run by MNU made it 72-54 with just over seven minutes left, a lead which proved to be too much for Peru State to overcome.
 
Team Statistics
 
MNU outshot PSC from both the field and free throw line, although the 'Cats did shoot better from behind the arc.  In total field goals, the Pioneers hit 50% of their 66 attempts, while PSC made 27 of 70 for 38.6%.  From behind the arc, PSC made seven of 14 for 50%, compared to MNU's four of 15 for 26.7%.  At the charity stripe, MNU made 14 of 27 for 66.7% while the 'Cats made 12 of 19 for 63.2%.
 
The Pioneers grabbed 11 more rebounds than PSC, winning the battle 48-37.  In terms of turnovers, it was a pretty clean game for both teams as PSC only had 13 while MNU committed 14.  MNU had seven steals compared to the Bobcats' six.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Three Bobcats finished in double figures with Adaugo Osuala (Lakewood, Colo.) leading the way with a game-high 20 points.  Osuala also added four assists and four rebounds.
 
Courtney Ward (Bartlesville, Okla.) completed her 15^th double double of the season as she had 13 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.  Ward also blocked two shots and had two assists.
 
Natasha Moss (Indianapolis) finished with 12 points on four of five shooting from the floor and making four of five free throws.  Moss added three rebounds.

MIDAMERICA NAZARENE BOX SCORE
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State takes the court again on Saturday when they host the Central Methodist Eagles from Fayette, Mo.  The 23^rd-ranked Eagles are 7-3 in the HAAC and topped Evangel on Thursday 61-49.  Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m.  Saturday is the Foundation's Alumni Chili Feed, which will begin at approximately 2:30 p.m.
 
The 'Cats will have a week off before facing their next opponent which will be Culver-Stockton College.  This game will be on the road in Canton, Mo., with game time scheduled for 2 p.m.  The Wildcats are just behind PSC in the HAAC standings with a 4-6 record, having topped Missouri Valley on Thursday, 74-59.