(Peru, Neb.) – Two teams with scoring averages in the low 70's, lit it up Thursday night in Lamoni, Iowa. However, for the Peru State women's basketball team, they ended up on the short end as the Graceland University Yellowjackets won 97-91 in the offensive shootout.

With the win, the Yellowjackets improved to 6-7 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) and evened their season record at 10-10. The Bobcats fell to 6-18 overall and 4-9 in the HAAC. Peru State is still tied with Evangel University for seventh in the conference standings in the ten-team league. The top eight teams will participate in post-season play beginning the first week of March.

Game Action

The 'Cats took the early lead in the game as Brittany Peterson (Orem, Utah) grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back in for the first two points of the game.

The game's first tie was at 10-10, but again, Peru State regained the lead when Karlee Stuart (Las Animas, Colo.) hit a bucket on an assist from Peterson. A pair of free throws allowed Graceland to tie the game at 12-12, but Peterson hit one of two free throws to put the Bobcats back on top at 13-12 with 15:19 to go in the first 20 minutes.

Peru State then went on to lead most of the first half and led by ten at 33-23 and 37-27. Later, at the 6:29 mark in the first period, Peterson grabbed another offensive rebound and scored to put the 'Cats up by 11 at 41-30.

The Yellowjackets then went on a 13-2 run to tie it at 43-43 with 3:13 remaining in the half. A field goal by Jasmine Tate (Fayetteville, N.C.) put the 'Cats back on top at 45-43, but Graceland countered with a trey to take the lead for the first time in the game.
Stuart gave Peru State the lead back with a three-pointer, making it 48-46 with 1:57 left. Eighteen seconds later, the Yellowjackets hit another three to go back on top 49-48. One more Bobcat three, this time by Shelbie Hess (Phoenix), gave Peru State the lead at halftime, 51-49.

At the start of the second half, Graceland tied the score and then hit a three to take the lead for good at 54-51 with 18:49 left in the game.

Peru State would trail by as many as ten at 72-62 and 74-64 before slowly whittling away at the Yellowjacket lead. With 2:49 left in the game, a Graceland defender fouled Hess and was then charged with a technical. Hess stepped to the line and made four straight free throws to get the 'Cats back within one at 84-83.

The Bobcats never could regain the lead and Graceland stretched its lead to 93-86 before eventually winning by six at 97-91.

Team Statistics

Both teams shot the ball well from the floor, but Graceland did out-shoot Peru State in all three categories. From the field, Graceland was 34 of 66 for 51.5%, including 9 of 23 from behind the arc for 39.1%. However, the biggest difference in shooting between the teams came at the free throw line as the Yellowjackets made 20 of 21 free throws for 95.2%.

Peru State hit 30 of 67 field goals for 44.8%. From behind the arc, the 'Cats made 6 of 24 for 25%. At the charity stripe, the Bobcats were 25 of 40 for 62.5%.

The Bobcats did grab more rebounds than Graceland, 41 to 36. Peru State committed fewer turnovers, 15, compared to the Yellowjackets' 19. Graceland blocked six Peru State attempts while the 'Cats were credited with one block.

Individual Statistics

Both teams finished with five players scoring in double figures. Hess led all scorers with 21 points. Peterson added 17 with Sydney Young (Omaha) contributing 13. Stuart and Tate each added 11 points.

Peterson finished with a double-double as she had a game-high 14 rebounds to go with her 17 points. Stuart added eight boards.

Tate dished out four assists with Peterson handing out three. Stuart and Brianna Madrid (Glendale, Ariz.) each had two assists.

Tate and Tai'ler Warren (Omaha) each grabbed two steals with five other Bobcats having one steal apiece. Hess was credited with the lone blocked shot.

GRACELAND BOX SCORE

Upcoming Games

On Saturday, Peru State will be hosting Missouri Valley College at 2 p.m. in the Al Wheeler Activity Center (AWAC). The Vikings are 15-10 on the season and 7-6 in the HAAC, having won 50-48 over Avila on Thursday night.

Saturday's game is the Foundation's National Alumni Association's annual Chili Feed. The chili feed will begin following the conclusion of the women's game. Also, during halftime of both games, the Fantastic Flyers of Gary's Tumbling in Glenwood, Iowa, will be performing. Finally, between games, the student-athletes from the fall sports will be recognized.

Next Thursday, Peru State will host MidAmerica Nazarene University at 5:30 in the AWAC. Presently, the 13^th-ranked Pioneers are 19-3 overall and 11-2 in the HAAC.