In front of the alumni, the Peru State College (PSC) Bobcat women's basketball team pulled off an upset by defeating the 23
With the win, PSC moved to 6-5 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC), just one game now behind Central Methodist which fell to 7-4 in the league. The Eagles are now fourth with the 'Cats fifth in the ten-team league. Overall, PSC improved to 11-12 while the Eagles just suffered their fourth loss after gaining 18 wins.
Game Action
The first half was tight for the entire 20 minutes as the largest lead was six by the Bobcats when they had a 23-17 lead with 6:13 left in the half.
Courtney Ward (Bartlesville, Okla.) put the Bobcats on the board first as she grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back in with just 14 ticks off the clock. It would be over two minutes before either team would score. With 17:43 remaining, CMU knotted it up.
It was back and forth before
Karlee Stuart (Las Animas, Colo.) hit a three-pointer on the assist from
Jasmine Tate (Fayetteville, N.C.) to make it 15-10 with 12:10 to go. Later, at the 6:13 mark, a bucket by
Natasha Moss (Indianapolis) gave the 'Cats their largest lead of the half at 23-17.
At the end of the half, PSC led 28-24.
In the second half, PSC had a 37-29 lead after
Adaugo Osuala (Lakewood, Colo.) hit a fast-break bucket on an assist from Ward coming at the 16:01 mark.
The Eagles then went on a 10-2 run to tie it at 39-39 with 11:11 left in the half. A free throw by Ward put PSC back on top 40-39, but CMU hit a bucket to take just their third lead of the game at 41-40 with just under nine left in the game.
Moss hit a three-pointer with 8:12 left to put PSC back on top 43-41. A pair of CMU free throws to tie it was countered by a drive in the lane by
Jasmine Lockwood (Sunrise, Fla.) putting the 'Cats back up 45-43 at the 7:29 point.
The teams battled over the last seven minutes with it tied at 55-55 with 30 seconds left. A Bobcat miss led to a chance for the Eagles to win, but a 17-footer rolled out forcing overtime.
The Eagles won the overtime tip, but PSC forced a turnover. On Peru State's first time down the court, Tate got the ball inside to Ward who put in with 4:36 left in the OT, giving PSC a 57-55 lead.
After Moss got a defensive rebound, eventually she took a shot and was fouled. Moss made one of two, making it 58-55. PSC forced a turnover on CMU's next possession and Stuart hit a bucket on an assist from Ward to give Peru State a five-point advantage at 60-55 with 3:35 left.
Moss was fouled again, made one of two, making it 61-55. PSC forced another turnover and Osuala was able to get a bucket to drop through, putting PSC up by eight, 63-55 with 2:46 left.
A Ward rebound and assist led to another bucket by Moss, giving PSC its largest lead of the game at 65-55. CMU did respond with a three-pointer, cutting it to 65-58 with just 1:21 left. After PSC missed two tries, the Eagles got it down the court and hit another trey, cutting the lead to four at 65-61 with 39 ticks left on the clock.
Moss hit one of two free throws and on a steal, Osuala hit a bucket giving PSC a seven-point lead at 68-61. On CMU's next possession, Tate fouled out of the game, and the Eagles hit both to make 68-63 with 14 seconds left.
Ayana Smith (Colorado Springs) was quickly fouled, made one free throw to make the final margin 69-63.
Team Statistics
Peru State outshot the visitors from the floor, but not at the free throw line. The Bobcats made 27 of 76 field goal attempts for 35.5%, which included four of seven shooting from behind the arc for 57.1%. At the charity stripe, PSC made 11 of 21 for 52.4%.
CMU made 23 of 65 field goal tries for 35.4%, which include four of 19 from three-point range for 21.1%. At the free throw line, the Eagles made 13 of 21 for 61.9%.
The Eagles held a huge advantage in rebounding, grabbing 53 boards compared to 36 for Peru State. The 'Cats, however, forced CMU into 34 turnovers, while committing 20 themselves. PSC blocked six shots with CMU swatting away four Bobcat shots. Both teams had 13 assists while PSC
won the steals battle, 18-10.
Individual Statistics
Three Bobcats finished in double figures with Osuala leading the way with 15, tying for game-high honors. Osuala did have game-high honors in steals as she had eight.
Moss finished with 14 points and grabbed three rebounds. Ward just missed a double double as she had 12 points and nine rebounds. Ward added three steals, three assists, and one block.
CENTRAL METHODIST BOX SCORE
Upcoming Games
The Bobcats will only have one game next week. On Saturday, Feb. 2, PSC will be traveling to Canton, Mo., to take on the Culver-Stockton College Wildcats at 2 p.m. The Wildcats are 5-6 in the HAAC and 10-11 overall, just one spot behind Peru State in the conference standings.
The following week, Peru State will be at home on Thursday, Feb. 7, to host the Baker University Wildcats with game time scheduled for 5:30 p.m. On Saturday, Feb. 9, the 'Cats will be on the road, traveling to Marshal, Mo., to take on the Vikings of Missouri Valley College. Game time is 2 p.m.
All Bobcat games can be heard live on KNCY Radio 103.1 by either linking to the PSC website or using the KNCY app.
