(Peru, Neb.) – Even though they played short-handed due to illness and injuries, the Peru State women's basketball team easily handled the visiting Grace University Royals on Monday night. The Bobcats jumped to an early 10-0 lead and never looked back on their way to an 80-42 non-conference win.
With the victory, Peru State improved to 5-12 overall on the season while Grace fell to 2-17.
Heather Brekke hits the first bucket of the
game. Brekke finished with 14 points. Game Comments With the injuries and illness, Peru State started three players who normally do not start, but that did not hinder the beginning of the game. The 'Cats jumped to a 10-0 advantage in the first four minutes.
Heather Brekke (Sunrise, Fla.) started the scoring with a bucket on an assist by
Karlee Stuart (Las Animas, Colo.). Beth Bowman grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back up, but was fouled. Bowman made both free throws to make it 4-0. Brekke then stole the ball and hit another bucket to make it 6-0 with 17:52 left in the first half.
The teams would trade field goal tries before Stuart grabbed an offensive rebound and put it in with 16:46 remaining. For Stuart, this was her 999
th and 1000
th point of her career. Stuart was recognized with the game ball and had photos with her teammates.
Later, with 15:39 on the clock,
Rylie Bowser (Holton, Kan.) got in the scorebooks with a basket making it 10-0 Peru State. After the Royals did get on the scoreboard, Peru State would run off another five points and had the game in hand at that point.
Beth Bowman scores her first two points of the
night. Bowman finished with a career-high
ten points.The 'Cats led by as many as 30 in the first half at 43-13 before going into the break with a 44-19 lead.
Peru State would score the first six points of the second half to get things going. Bowman scored all six of the points with Bowser giving her the assist on the second one while Brekke dished Bowman the assist on her third bucket.
The Bobcats led by as many as 40 twice in the second half with the last 40-point lead coming at 80-40 after
Brittany Harward (Orem, Utah) hit a bucket on an assist from Bowser.
Team Statistics The 'Cats made 31 of 79 field goals for 39.2% which including an 8 of 24 showing from behind the arc for 33.3%. From the free throw line, Peru State was 10 of 16 for 62.5%.
Grace made just 15 of 67 field goal tries for 22.4%, including hitting 3 of 16 three-point attempts for 18.8%. At the charity stripe, the Royals connected on 9 of 17 for 52.9%.
Riley Bowser scores two of her game- and
career-high 17 points Peru State held a rebounding advantage as they grabbed 54 boards compared to the Royals' 45. Grace committed 22 turnovers while the Bobcats had 16.
Individual Statistics Six Bobcats finished in double figures for a very balanced scoring attack. Bowser led all scorers with 17 points while Brekke added 14. Harward added 12 while
Brianna Madrid (Glendale, Ariz.) and
Madara Laure (Riga, Latvia) each added 11. Bowman finished with ten points. Bowser and Bowman both had their Bobcat career-high scoring totals.
Harward, Laure, and Madrid each finished with double-doubles. Harward and Laure each grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds while Madrid contributed ten.
Brekke dished out a game-high five assists with Bowser adding three. Stuart, Bowman, Laure, Brekke, and Harward were each credited with two steals. Harward had the team's lone blocked shot.
GRACE GAME BOOK Career Update Stuart became just the 15
th Bobcat women's basketball player to score more than 1,000 points. Playing in limited minutes, Stuart finished the night with five points and now stands at 1,003 points for her career. In addition, Stuart has joined a very exclusive club of 1,000 point scorers, as well as, having grabbed 500 rebounds. Stuart currently has 507 rebounds in her career. (Limited records does not allow for specific leaders on rebounds)
Upcoming Games Peru State will be on the road this Thursday night as they travel to Baldwin City, Kan., to face the Wildcats of Baker University. Presently, Baker is 11-6 overall and 4-3 in Heart of America Athletic Conference action. Game time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Jan. 24, the 'Cats will be hosting Central Methodist University in a game scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. The Eagles are 9-6 overall and 2-5 in the Heart. Central Methodist will host Graceland on Thursday night before heading to Peru State.
Saturday will be Peru State's Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers game. The coaches from both teams will be donning their sneakers for the game. There will be no gate admission; however, attendees are invited to participate in a freewill donation. In addition, the Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) will be providing a "Sneaker" which can be posted in memory/honor of someone for a small donation. Also, SAAC will be hosting a split-the-pot with one-half of the proceeds being donated to the American Cancer Society through the National Basketball Coaches Association.
Karlee Stuart (center with ball) scored her 1,000th point of her Bobcat career with her
first basket of the game. The game was stopped momentarily to present Stuart with the
game ball and pose with her teammates and coaches.
