(Peru, Neb.) – It was only a three-point deficit at the end of the first half for the Peru State women's basketball team as they trailed Benedictine College 29-26.  And it was even closer with 11 minutes remaining as the 'Cats took the lead at 41-40. 
 
But, a 23 to 6 run sealed Peru State's fate and the Ravens went on to a 66-49 victory on Thursday night in Atchison, Kan., in both team's first game in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.
 
With the win, Benedictine improved to 6-4 overall and 1-0 in the Heart.  The Bobcats dropped to 0-1 in conference play and 1-6 overall.

 
Game Action
 
The Bobcats had the early lead in the game as Sydney Young (Omaha) hit a field goal on an assist from Brianna Madrid (Glendale, Ariz.) at the 17:24 mark in the first half.  After a free throw by a Raven, Young drained a trey on an assist from Sydney Wilkinson (St. Joseph, Mo.) to make it 5-1 just 12 seconds later.
 
Later, another trey by Young, on an assist from Shelbie Hess (Phoenix) gave Peru State its largest lead of the game at 11-3.
 
The Ravens hit a pair of buckets to cut the lead to 11-7 before Brittany Harward (Orem, Utah) put in a bucket off an assist from Wilkinson who had grabbed an offensive rebound.  Then, Wilkinson stole a Benedictine pass and took it to the hoop to once again put Peru State up by eight at 15-7 with just under ten minutes left in the first half.
 
Benedictine eventually tied the game at 19-19 with 4:51 left in the half.  Peru State did have one more lead in the first half at 22-21 after Heather Brekke (Sunrise, Fla.) hit a three-pointer on an assist from Wilkinson.  But, the Ravens regained the lead and went on to lead 29-26 after the first 20 minutes.
 
The Ravens led most of the entire second half.  But, Peru State kept it close and actually took its only lead of the half at 41-40 with 11:19 remaining as Young put in a bucket on an assist from Wilkinson.
 
Benedictine came back with a three-pointer and never trailed after that point.  The 'Cats were still within five at 52-47 with just over six minutes left.  However, Peru State was able to only score two more points in the final stretch as the Ravens pulled away for the win.
 
Team Statistics
 
The field goal shooting was won by Benedictine as they made 28 of 67 for 41.8%. From behind the arc, the Ravens were 5 of 18 for 27.8%. Peru State hit 21 of 58 for 36.2% and finished 4 of 17 from three-point range for 23.5%.
 
 

The Bobcats did shoot slightly better from the free throw line making 3 of 5 for 60% while Benedictine was 5 of 9 for 55.6%.
 
The Ravens held a slight rebounding edge, 43 to 37.  Benedictine committed just ten turnovers while the Bobcats had 16.  Peru State blocked five shots while the Ravens swatted away four Bobcat attempts.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Only Young finished in double figures for Peru State as she had 17 points on 7 of 13 shooting, including 3 of 7 from long range.  Harward and Wilkinson each finished with eight points.
 
Harward tied for game-high rebounding honors as she grabbed 11 with Young adding four.  In addition, Harward had a game-high four blocked shots with Madrid blocking one.
 
Wilkinson dished out a game-high seven assists with Hess handing out two.

BENEDICTINE GAME BOX
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will be back in action on Saturday when they host Evangel University from Springfield, Mo., in another Heart contest.  Game time with the Crusaders is 2 p.m.  Evangel is 2-4 on the season and started their conference action with a 55-45 win over Avila in Springfield on Thursday. 
 
During halftime of the Evangel game, the Fantastic Flyers from Gary's Tumbling in Glenwood, Iowa, will perform.  They will also perform at halftime of the men's game.  In addition, the women's golf team and SAAC will be seeking holiday cards for deployed soldiers.
 
Next Saturday, Dec. 13, Peru State will host Avila with game time being 2 p.m.  Then, on Dec. 17, Peru State will travel to Omaha to play Grace University.