With the win, the 14^th-ranked Pioneers improved to 22-3 overall and 14-2 in conference play. With two games remaining in the regular season, MidAmerica Nazarene is alone in second in the HAAC.

Peru State's loss dropped the 'Cats to 7-20 overall and 5-11 in conference play. Currently, the Bobcats are in a tie for seventh with Evangel University, but do hold the tie breaker over the Crusaders. The two remaining games for the Bobcats will be crucial in determining whether or not they make post-season play as the top eight teams advance.

Game Action

The Bobcats never led in the game as the Pioneers took a 4-0 lead before a bucket by Brianna Madrid (Glendale, Ariz.) on an assist from Jasmine Tate (Fayetteville, N.C.) to cut the lead to 4-2 with 19:07 on the first half clock.

After another bucket by the Pioneers, Shelbie Hess (Phoenix) hit a bucket to make it 6-4 with 18:07 remaining in the first half.

Peru State still trailed by two again at 8-6 after Hess had made another bucket, but that was as close as the 'Cats would be the rest of the game.

At halftime, MidAmerica Nazarene led 53-28 and then outscored Peru State 46-22 in the second half on their way to the easy victory.

Team Statistics

The Pioneers were extremely hot as they connected on 42 of 62 field goals for 67.7%. From behind the arc, MidAmerica Nazarene made 3 of 10 shots for 30%. At the free throw line, they Pioneers were 12 of 15 for 80%.
Peru State managed to only hit 17 of 59 field goals for 28.8% and only made 5 of 25 three-point attempts for 20%. At the charity stripe, the 'Cats made 8 of 21 for 38.1%.

Individual Statistics

Sydney Young (Omaha) led Peru State with 15 points, all coming from behind the arc. Madrid was the only other Bobcat in double figures with 11 points.

Madrid was the team's leading rebounding with six boards. Hess dished out five assists while Tate had four.

Leslie Kirkland (Rock Port, Mo.) had a game-high four steals while Brittany Peterson (Orem, Utah) added three.

MNU BOX SCORE

Upcoming Games

Peru State faces two of the conference's top teams in their final two games of the regular season. On Thursday, the Bobcats will be traveling to Baldwin City, Kan., to face the 13^th-ranked Baker University Wildcats. Currently, Baker is 15-1 in the conference and in first place. Overall, the Wildcats are 22-5. Game time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

The Bobcats will play their final regular season game on Saturday, March 1, when they host Central Methodist University at 2 p.m. It will be Senior Day for Peru State. Presently, the Eagles are receiving votes in the most recent NAIA poll. On the season, Central Methodist is 19-8 overall and 10-6 in the HAAC, currently sitting in a tie for third.

Should the Bobcats remain in the top eight, their first game of post-season play would be on Thursday, March 6. As Peru State is currently in the lower half, the Bobcats would travel and play at the higher seeded site.