(Peru, Neb.) – After nearly overcoming a 15-0 deficit at the beginning of the game, the Peru State Bobcat women's basketball team could not get over the hump against the Benedictine College Ravens Thursday night.
 
Playing on the Ravens' home court, the Bobcats fell 73-57.  The 13^th-ranked Benedictine team improved to 13-2 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC), assuring them of no worse than a tie for second in the conference.  Overall, the Ravens are 23-4.
 
The Bobcats dropped their fourth game in a row and fell to 6-9 in the HAAC, placing them seventh in the current HAAC race for post-season play.  The Bobcats are now 11-16 overall.
 
Game Action
 
The Ravens jumped to a 15-0 lead as the 'Cats could not get on the board until Courtney Ward (Bartlesville, Okla.) stole the ball and took it to the hoop for two at the 13:09 mark. 
Peru State did close within one at 25-24 on a three-pointer by Adaugo Osuala (Lakewood, Colo.) on an assist from Jasmine Tate (Fayetteville, N.C.) with 2:39 left in the first 20 minutes.  However, that would be the closest that Peru State would get as they never led in the game.  At the end of the first half, Benedictine led 31-28.
 
The 'Cats stayed within single digits of Benedictine through the first eight minutes of the second half until Benedictine led 50-40 with 12:05 left in the game.   A pair of free throws by Tate made it 56-49 with 8:06 remaining before the Ravens finished off the game with a 17-7 run to win 73-57.
 
Team Statistics
 
Benedictine outshot the Bobcats in all categories.  From the floor, the Ravens made 24 of 56 for 42.9% while Peru State was 24 of 67 for 35.8%.  Benedictine connected on five of 11 three pointers for 45.5% compared to the Bobcats hitting three of 22 for 13.6%.  The biggest disparity came at the charity stripe.  Even though Peru State had one of its better nights at six of eight for 75%, the Ravens hit 20 of 22 for 90.9%.
 
The Ravens also outrebounded Peru State 42-36.  Both teams committed a similar number of turnovers as Benedictine had 22 while the 'Cats had 23.  
Individual Statistics
 
Jasmine Lockwood (Sunrise, Fla.) was the only Bobcat to finish in double figures as she had 13 points on six of 11 shooting, including hitting her only free throw.  Lockwood also grabbed five rebounds.
 
Natasha Moss (Indianapolis) added nine points and had a game-high eight rebounds.  Osuala continued her torrid streak of steals grabbing a game-high eight while Tate dished out six assists.

BENEDICTINE BOX SCORE
 
Record Watch
 
With her eight steals, Osuala tied a single-season record of 111 steals that had been previously set by Peru State Hall of Famer Lora (White) Gulley during the 1991-92 season.  Osuala is currently leading NAIA Division I in steals. 
 
Upcoming Games
 
The Bobcats have three games remaining in the regular season.  On Saturday, Peru State will host the Avila University Eagles with the game scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.  Currently, the Eagles are two games behind the 'Cats in the HAAC with a 4-11 record and are 5-18 overall.  At halftime of Saturday's game, the Fantastic Flyers of Gary's Tumbling will be performing.
 
On Thursday, Feb. 21, Peru State will travel to Lamoni, Iowa, to face the Graceland University YellowJackets.  The 'Jackets are winless in conference play at 0-16 and are 2-22 on the year.  Thursday's game is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m.
 
The final home and regular-season game will be on Saturday, Feb. 23.  Evangel University will be the opponent with the game starting at 2 p.m.  Currently, the Crusaders are one-half game ahead of Peru State in the HAAC with a 6-8 record and are 7-13 overall.  Prior to the game, the Bobcat seniors – Courtney Ward and Jasmine Lockwood – will be recognized.
 
All Bobcat games can be heard live on the KNCY Radio 103.1 by either linking to the audio on Peru State's athletic website, on KNCY's link, or by using the radio's new phone app.