(Peru, Neb.) – After staying within single digits for the first ten minutes of the game, the Peru State women saw the Ravens go on a 13-0 run to take a commanding lead. Benedictine cruised to a 92-43 win over the visiting 'Cats in their Ralph Nolan gym in Atchison, Kan.
With the win, the Ravens improved to 7-3 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) and 15-7 overall. Benedictine was receiving votes in the most recent NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll.
Peru State fell to 4-16 overall and 2-8 in conference play.
Game Action
Benedictine jumped to a 7-0 lead before a field goal by
Brianna Madrid (Glendale, Ariz.) at the 17:18 mark put the Bobcats on the scoreboard. Another Raven bucket made it 9-2 before Peru State went on a 7-0 run to produce the only tie of the game at 9-9.
Sydney Young (Omaha) nailed a three-pointer on an assist from
Sydney Wilkinson (St. Joseph, Mo.) to cut it to 9-5. Madrid followed with a bucket in the paint and was fouled. After missing the foul shot, Madrid grabbed her own rebound and it put it back in to tie it at 9-9 with 15:56 remaining in the first half.
With 10:33 left in the first half, the 'Cats were still within nine at 22-13. Benedictine then had a 13-0 run to go up 35-13 with 7:45 to go in the half and never were really threatened by Peru State after that point.
At halftime, the Ravens led 45-24.
In the second half, Benedictine just continued to extend its lead and led by as many as 51 on two different occasions before winning 92-43.
Team Statistics
The Ravens out-shot Peru State in all three shooting categories. From the floor, Benedictine hit 34 of 69 attempts for 49.3%, which included making 6 of 21 from three-point range for 28.6%. At the free throw line, the Ravens were 18 of 22 for 81.8%.
The Bobcats made 16 of 50 field goal tries for 32%, but struggled from behind the arc, making only 3 of 18 tries for 16.7%. At the charity stripe, Peru State was 8 of 13 for 61.5%.
Benedictine out-rebounded Peru State 41 to 34 and forced the 'Cats into 32 turnovers. The Ravens only committed 12 turnovers. Benedictine was credited for three blocked shots while the Bobcats had one.
Individual Statistics
No Bobcat finished in double figures.
Shelbie Hess (Phoenix) finished with nine points while
Brittany Peterson (Orem, Utah), Madrid, and Young all added eight points.
Hess also led Peru State with five rebounds while Peterson, Madrid, and Young each grabbed four.
Wilkinson and
Jasmine Tate (Fayetteville, N.C.) each had one assist. Peterson and Hess each had one steal while Madrid was credited with one block.
BENEDICTINE BOX SCORE
Upcoming Games
Peru State jumps right back into action on Saturday as they host the Evangel University Crusaders. Currently, Evangel is 6-13 overall and 3-6 in conference play, just 1.5 games ahead of the Bobcats. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m. in the Al Wheeler Activity Center.
The 'Cats will then have a week off before hosting the Avila University Eagles on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 2 p.m. Presently, the Eagles are one game ahead of Peru State in the HAAC with a 3-7 mark. Overall, Avila is 5-13 overall.
