(Peru, Neb.) – After seeing the game being tied nine times in the first half, the Peru State College (PSC) Bobcat women pulled ahead before the end of the half and then increased their lead to roll to their second win in a row on Monday night.
The Bobcats topped the Grace University (GU) Royals from Omaha 70-54 to improve to 7-10 overall in non-conference action against the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) team. The Royals fell to .500 at 7-7.
Game Action
The teams battled back and forth for most of the first half with the largest lead being just two points until the 4:23 mark when
Courtney Ward (Bartlesville, Okla.) hit a bucket on the assist from
Jasmine Lockwood (Sunrise, Fla.). That was the largest lead of the half until Lockwood hit a field goal in the paint on an offensive rebound to end the first half scoring with PSC leading 33-28.
In the second half, the 'Cats went on a 17-6 run to lead 50-34 after Ward made another bucket, this time on an assist from
Natasha Moss (Indianapolis). The teams would trade several buckets before PSC stretched the lead to 62-38, again on a Ward bucket with the assist to Moss.
The 24-point margin was the largest lead for Peru State before seeing the Royals chip into it some with the final margin being 16 points at 70-54.
Team Statistics
Grace outshot the Bobcats from field goal range connecting on 24 of their 56 attempts for 42.9% while PSC made 30 of 74 for 40.5%. Peru State did not hit either of their three-point attempts while the Royals connected on two of 13 for 15.4%. The 'Cats made 10 of 17 free throws for 58.8% while Grace was four of eight for 50%.
The Royals actually outrebounded Peru State by one 36-35, but the biggest difference in the game came in turnovers. PSC only committed 13 while forcing Grace into 29 miscues that included 17 steals by the Bobcats compared to six steals for the Royals.
Individual Statistics
Ward had her 11
th double-double of the year finishing with 24 points and 16 rebounds. Ward also blocked two shots and grabbed two steals.
Moss and
Jasmine Tate (Fayetteville, N.C.) each finished with 14 points. Tate added nine steals, seven rebounds, and five assists while Moss had six rebounds and four assists.
Also in double figures was Lockwood who finished with ten points and three rebounds. Rounding out the scoring for PSC were
Ayana Smith (Colorado Springs) with six and
Rachel Blair (Hubbard) with two. Smith had returned after missing a number of games due to an injury.
GRACE BOX SCORE
Upcoming Games
Peru State has two more games this week, both of which will be Heart of America Athletic Conference match-ups.
On Thursday, Jan. 10, the 'Cats will host the Benedictine College Ravens, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Al Wheeler Activity Center. Then, on Saturday, Jan. 12, Peru State will be traveling to Kansas City, Mo., to take on the Avila University Eagles with game time scheduled for 2 p.m.
Graceland University will be the next home opponent on Thursday, Jan. 17, with the game scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m.
