(Peru, Neb.) – After leading only by two at halftime, the Baker University Wildcats busted out and scored 51 points in the second half to take a 88-70 victory over the visiting Peru State Bobcats in Baldwin City, Kan., on Thursday night.
 
 

With the win, Baker improved to 12-6 overall and 5-3 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.  Peru State fell to 1-7 in the Heart and 5-13 on the season.
 
Game Action
 
After the Wildcats scored the first two points of the game, Sydney Wilkinson (St. Joseph, Mo.) tied it up after grabbing the defensive rebound.  Karlee Stuart (Las Animas, Colo.) gave Peru State its first and only lead of the game on the Bobcats' next possession as she made a jumper in the paint off an assist from Wilkinson.
 
Baker would go on an 11-0 run to lead 13-4 before Brianna Madrid (Glendale, Ariz.) ended Peru State's dry spell with a hoop in the paint, making it 13-6 at the 13:06 mark in the first half.
 
The Wildcats would drain a three to give them a ten-point cushion which was the largest lead of the first half for Baker.  However, back-to-back treys by Shelbie Hess (Phoenix) cut it to 16-12 at the 9:48 mark.
 
Baker would again extend its lead to 21-12 before the 'Cats would go on a 9-0 run to tie it again at 21-21.  Stuart scored first on an assist from Madara Laure (Riga, Latvia) and Hess followed with a pair of free throws making it 21-16.  Another three-pointer by Hess cut it to 21-19 with 7:22 left on the first half clock.  The Hess show continued as she got a steal and took it to the hoop to tie it at 21-21 with 6:08 remaining.
 
While the Wildcats regained the lead and led by as many as five at 26-21, the Bobcats again fought back to knot it up at 30-30 on a three-pointer by Laure with 3:02 left in the half.
 
The teams traded hoops the rest of the half with a late bucket by Baker giving them a 37-35 lead at halftime.
 
Baker scored the first five points of the second half and never were tied or seriously threatened by the Bobcats in the second half.  Peru State was still within seven at 52-45 with 14:24 left, but the Wildcats finished the game with a 36-25 run to capture the 88-70 win.
 
Team Statistics
 
Both teams shot the ball well on the evening, but Baker took 11 more field goal tries.  The Wildcats were 33 of 68 for 48.5% which included making 10 of 24 from three-point range for 41.7%.  At the free throw line, Baker was 12 of 17 for 70.6%.

 
Peru State had one of its better shooting nights as they were 24 of 57 for 42.1%.  From long range, the Bobcats shot a season-high 55.6% as they made 10 of 18 tries.  The 'Cats hit the identical amount of free throws as Baker.
 
Baker held a big advantage in rebounding as Peru State played without its leading rebounder, Brittany Harward (Orem, Utah).  The Wildcats grabbed 45 boards compared to Peru State's 29.  The teams had an identical 17 turnovers.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Hess had a game-high 27 points on 8 of 22 shooting which included making 4 of 9 three-pointers.  She was perfect at the free throw line making all seven of her tries.
 
Stuart and Wilkinson each finished with 11 points.
 
Hess also had a team-high eight rebounds with Rylie Bowser (Holton, Kan.) adding six.
 
Wilkinson dished out three assists with Madrid and Laure each handing out two.  Bowser had a game-high four stelas with Hess adding two.  Bowser had Peru State's only blocked shot.

BAKER GAME BOOK
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will host Central Methodist University on Saturday, Jan. 24, at 2 p.m.  This will be the Coaches versus Cancer Suits and Sneakers game.  There will be no admission to the game, but a freewill offering will be accepted which will be donated to the National Basketball Coaches Association who will combine funds and give to the American Cancer Society.
 
Currently, the visiting Eagles from Fayette, Mo., are 3-5 in conference play and 10-6 overall.
 
Next week, the Bobcats will host Benedictine College Thursday night at 5:30 p.m. and then travel to Evangel University on Saturday for a 2 p.m. game.