(Peru, Neb.) – When a team shoots over 60% and grabs 22 more rebounds, it makes it difficult for the other team to win. That was the situation Saturday afternoon as the Central Methodist (CMU) (Mo.) Eagles basketball team shot lights out and topped Peru State 100-70 in the Al Wheeler Activity Center.
With the win, CMU improved to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The Bobcats are still searching for their first win and are 0-5 overall and 0-2 in the Heart.
Madara Laure gets the first two
points of the game for Peru State First Quarter Action Peru State played the Eagles close throughout the first quarter until the final 90 seconds. After CMU made the first bucket,
Sydney Wilkinson (St. Joseph, Mo.) stole the ball and then
Madara Laure (Riga, Latvia) made a bucket to tie it at 2-2 with 8:46 remaining in the first quarter. Later, another bucket by Laure put the 'Cats on top 7-6 at the 7:06 mark. The game was then tied at 7-7 and 10-10 before the Eagles went up 13-10. Peru State fought back with baskets by
Jackie Robles (Parlier, Calif.) and
Jackie Beaugard (Omaha) to lead 14-13. On the Bobcats next play, Beaugard dished off to
Justice Daniel (Olathe, Kan.) who drained a trey to put Peru State up 17-13 with 4:13 left in the first stanza. Later, a
Celine Jolicoeur (Elmont, N.Y.) basket gave the 'Cats their largest lead of the game at 21-15 with 3:04 to go in the first. That is when CMU caught fire and went on a 12-0 run to end the quarter and have the lead for good after the first ten minutes at 27-21.
Second Quarter Action CMU started the second quarter with a quick basket to increase their lead to eight. Jolicoeur was fouled on a long-range shot and sunk all three free throws to cut the deficit to five at 29-24, but that would be as close as the Bobcats would be the rest of the game. The Eagles led by as many as 18 in the quarter near the end before
Heather Brekke (Sunrise, Fla.) hit a basket to end the first half with CMU leaving 53-37.
Third Quarter Action The Eagles nearly doubled the scoring output by Peru State in the third quarter as they outscored the 'Cats 32-17. CMU led 85-54 after 30 minutes.
Fourth Quarter Action The final stanza was nearly even with the Bobcats outscoring CMU by one 16-15 with the final score being Eagles 100-70 over Peru State.
Team Statistics CMU hit over 60% of their shots in each half of play and finished with the game making 38 of 62 for 61.3% which included making 8 of 19 three-point attempts for 42.1%. At the free throw line, the Eagles made 16 of 22 for 72.7%. The Bobcats struggled in all three shooting phases as they made just 25 of 72 field goals for 34.7% and connected on just 7 of 27 long-range tries for 25.9%. At the charity stripe, the 'Cats went 13 of 27 for 48.1%, their lowest mark of the season.
Jackie Robles drives past an Eagle defender. Robles led Peru
State with 14 points. The Eagles grabbed 50 rebounds while Peru State had 28. The Bobcats did commit fewer turnovers as they only had 11 while CMU committed 18.
CMU GAME BOOK Individual Statistics Four Bobcats finished in double figures with Robles leading the way with 14 points. Jolicoeur had 12 with Laure finishing with 11.
Rashaun Casey added ten.
Beaugard and Robles each grabbed six rebounds to share game-high honors. Wilkinson dished out three assists with Laure adding two.
Jolicoeur was credited with the lone blocked shot with Beaugard led the team with three steals. Daniel, Wilkinson, and
Kiley Guerue each had two steals.
Upcoming Games Peru State has three games next week with the first two on the road. On Tuesday, the Bobcats will travel to Omaha to face Grace University. The Royals are currently members of the National Christian College Athletic Association and are transitioning to the NAIA. Grace is currently 3-6 having lost two in a row and will host Bethany (Kan.) on Monday before the 'Cats head to Omaha. Game time is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
The Bobcats will then head to Sioux Falls, S.D., to take on NCAA DII Augustana College in an exhibition scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. on Wednesday. The Vikings are currently 3-0 and will face Peru State's sister college, Wayne State, on Monday night.
The 'Cats will host a game on Saturday after Thanksgiving. Kansas Wesleyan will be the opponent for the 2 p.m. contest. Currently, the Coyotes are 6-2 on the season.
