(Peru, Neb.) – After falling behind 44-19 at halftime, the Peru State Bobcat women's basketball team fell in Fayette, Mo., to the Central Methodist University (CMU) Eagles 86-53 on Saturday.
The Eagles, who were receiving votes in the most recent NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll, are now 14-4 overall and 5-3 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC). Peru State fell to 4-15 on the season and 2-7 in the HAAC.
Game Action
CMU scored the first eight points of the game before
Karlee Stuart (Las Animas, Colo.) hit one of two free throws to put Peru State on the board, trailing 8-1, at the 17:43 mark in the first half.
The Bobcats struggled most of the first half and found themselves trailing by 25 after the first 20 minutes.
The Eagles scored the first five points of the second half before Stuart hit a bucket in the paint. Peru State was only able to get as close as 25 twice at 51-26 and 61-36 with 8:47 left in the game.
Team Statistics
As expected by the score, CMU shot statistically better than the Bobcats in all categories. The Eagles were 31 of 62 from the floor for 50% which included 10 of 25 from three-point range for 40%. At the free throw line, Central Methodist was 14 of 19 for 73.7%.
Peru State made 20 of 71 field goal tries for 28.2%. From behind the arc, the 'Cats were 5 of 24 for 20.8%. At the charity stripe, the Bobcats were 8 of 16 for 50%.
CMU had the rebounding advantage at 50 to 40. Peru State did commit fewer turnovers, 13, compared to the Eagles' 16. Central Methodist blocked four shots while the Bobcats had two.
Individual Statistics
Three Bobcats scored in double figures with
Shelbie Hess (Phoenix) leading the way with 12 points. Stuart and
Rachel Blair (Hubbard) each added 11 points.
Brianna Madrid (Glendale, Ariz.) and
Brittany Peterson (Orem, Utah) grabbed eight and seven rebounds respectively.
Peterson dished out four assists while
Sydney Wilkinson (St. Joseph, Mo.) added three. Peterson, Hess, Wilkinson,
Jasmine Tate (Fayetteville, N.C.), and Blair each were credited with one steal. Tate and Madrid each had one blocked shot.
CENTRAL METHODIST BOX SCORE
Upcoming Games
Peru State will be on the road next Thursday as the Bobcats will travel to Atchison, Kan., to face the Benedictine College Ravens. Currently, the Ravens, who are receiving votes in the latest coaches' poll, are 14-7 overall and 6-3 in the HAAC – good for third place in the ten-team league. Game time is 5:30 p.m.
On Saturday, the Bobcats will be hosting the Evangel University Crusaders at 2 p.m. in the Al Wheeler Activity Center. The Crusaders are presently 5-13 overall and 2-6 in the HAAC, just one-half game ahead of the 'Cats.
