After trailing for most of the entire game, the Bobcat women's basketball team tied it up with 15 seconds in regulation to force overtime. But, it took two overtimes before Peru State was able to capture its fourth win in conference play as they topped Avila University 87-82.
With the win in the Al Wheeler Activity Center (AWAC), Peru State improved to 6-16 on the season and 4-8 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC). The Eagles fell to 3-9 in the HAAC and 5-15 overall.
In the HAAC, the 'Cats are tied for seventh with Evangel University, but Peru State holds the advantage over the Crusaders having swept the season series.
Peru State jumped to a 5-0 lead as
Brianna Madrid (Glendale, Ariz.) completed an old-fashioned three-point play, with her bucket coming off an assist from
Shelbie Hess (Phoenix). Thirty seconds later, Madrid hit another bucket, this time off an assist from
Karlee Stuart (Las Animas, Colo.).
The Eagles came back to tie it at 5-5 with 15:23 left in the first 20 minutes. A free throw by
Jasmine Tate (Fayetteville, N.C.) put the 'Cats back on top 6-5, but it was short-lived as Avila came back with a quick two-pointer.
A bucket by Hess allowed Peru State to get back on top 8-7. A 7-0 run by the Eagles gave them a 14-8 lead and Avila never trailed the rest of the half. The Eagles led by as many as 12 at 33-21 before Hess hit a trey which proved to be the last scoring in the first stanza. Avila led at halftime 33-24.
Second Half Action
Avila led the entire second half in which Peru State would cut into the Eagle lead, only to see Avila stretch it back out. After a Madrid bucket at the 18:08 mark cut it to 36-32, Avila went back out to a nine-point lead at 41-32 with 15:06 left in the game.
Peru State cut back into the Eagle lead and was within two at 46-44 after
Leslie Kirkland (Rock Port, Mo.) hit a three-pointer on an assist from
Sydney Wilkinson (St. Joseph, Mo.) with 11:43 to go in the game.
Again, Avila would stretch their lead to seven at 53-46 before a trey and a two-pointer by Stuart made the score 53-51 with 8:10 on the clock. Once again, the Eagles would increase their lead, this time to six at 60-54 with just under four minutes left in the game.
A field goal by Stuart was followed by another Peru State bucket from
Sydney Young (Omaha) to get the 'Cats back within two with 2:33 remaining in the game. Stuart was able to tie it up the next time the Bobcats came down the court at 60-60.
A 5-0 run by Avila made it 65-60 with 66 seconds left in the game. On an assist from Tate, Hess hit a three-pointer to make 65-62 with 35 seconds left. After Tate stole the ball, Hess attempted a three, but missed.
Brittany Peterson (Orem, Utah) grabbed the rebound and went back up. Peterson missed the bucket but was fouled. Just a 44% free throw shooter on the season, Peterson hit both to tie it at 65-65 with 15 seconds left on the clock. A three-pointer by Avila near the end of the game was short forcing the game into overtime.
First OT
A bucket by Peterson gave Peru State its first lead in the game in over 34 minutes of game action. The Eagles tied it with a bucket at 67-67 with 4:36 left in the first overtime.
On an assist from Stuart, Peterson hit another two-pointer with 2:40 left in OT. Following a Stuart three-point miss, Peterson grabbed the rebound and put it back in giving Peru State a 71-67 lead with 2:08 remaining in the overtime.
A two-pointer, followed by a trey by the Eagles gave Avila a 72-71 lead with 52 seconds remaining. As the teams were fighting for a rebound, Madrid was fouled with 20 seconds left. Madrid made the second of two free throws to tie it at 72-72.
Neither team was able to do anything within the last 20 seconds forcing another overtime.
Second OT
The Eagles took their only lead of the second overtime as they hit one of two free throws at the 4:35 points in the second OT.
Peru State took the lead for good as Madrid hit a bucket in the paint on an assist from Peterson, making it 74-73 at the 4:07 mark.
A bucket by Hess was followed by another bucket by Peterson on an assist from Stuart, giving Peru State a 78-73 advantage. Hess followed it with a pair of free throws giving the 'Cats their largest lead of the game at 80-73 with 1:50 remaining.
Avila cut it to three at 82-79 before Peterson hit another bucket. The teams traded points the rest of the second overtime with Peru State claiming the win 87-82.
Team Statistics
Both teams shot the ball reasonably well. Avila did shoot better than Peru State in all three categories, but turnovers did the Eagles in. From the field, the Eagles hit 28 of 60 for 46.7%, including making 11 of 28 from behind the arc for 39.3%. At the charity stripe, Avila was 15 of 24 for 62.5%.
The Bobcats made 32 of 74 field goals for 43.2%. From long range, Peru State was 9 of 27 for 33.3%. At the free throw line, the 'Cats were 14 of 23 for 60.9%.
The rebounding was nearly even as the Eagles held a slight advantage at 39-38. However, Avila committed 23 turnovers compared to Peru State's 14. Peru State had 15 steals and two blocks while the Eagles had one block and nine steals.
Individual Statistics
Four Bobcats finished in double figures and were led by Hess who scored 21 points. Stuart and Peterson each finished with 16 points with Peterson hitting 7 of 11 field goal tries. Madrid added 12 points in the win.
Peterson led all rebounders with 12 giving her a double-double for the game. In addition, Peterson had three steals, two blocked shots, and two assists while playing the most minutes she has during the entire season. Stuart added seven rebounds.
Wilkinson dished out a game-high five assists while Stuart, Hess, and Tate each had three. Tate had four steals while Stuart and Wilkinson each had two.
AVILA BOX SCORE
Upcoming Games
Peru State will travel to Doane College in Crete, Neb., to play their final non-conference game of the season before finishing up with six more HAAC contests. Currently, the Tigers from the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) are 12-13 on the season having lost at Northwestern College on Saturday. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
On Thursday, Feb. 13, Peru State will travel to take on the Yellowjackets of Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. Presently, Graceland is 9-10 on the season and 5-7 in conference play. Game time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
Then, on Saturday, Feb. 15, the Bobcats will host Missouri Valley College at 2 p.m. The Vikings are 14-10 on the season and 6-6 in the HAAC. This game will be the annual Alumni Chili Feed with the Foundation and Alumni Association feeding chili beginning immediately following the women's game concludes.
In addition, on Saturday, the Fantastic Flyers from Gary's Tumbling out of Glenwood, Iowa, will be performing at halftime of each game. Between games, student-athletes from the fall sports of football, volleyball, and cross country will be recognized for the athletic and academic achievements.
