(Peru, Neb.) – The Valentine Day's present for the Bobcat women's basketball team was an 83-73 victory over the visiting Missouri Valley College Vikings on Saturday in Peru.
 
With the win, Peru State improves to 8-17 on the season and 4-17 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.  The 'Cats are in a three-way tie for seventh at this point in the season.
 
Missouri Valley fell to 8-6 in conference play and 12-11 overall.
 
Game Comments
 
After Missouri Valley scored the first bucket, Shelbie Hess (Phoenix) drained a trey on an assist from Karlee Stuart (Las Animas, Colo.) at the 18:25 mark in the first half.  The Bobcats never trailed after that point, but the Vikings kept it close until late in the game.

 
Early in the first half, the Bobcats moved out to a seven-point lead after Brianna Madrid (Glendale, Ariz.) hit a bucket on an assist from Rylie Bowser (Holton, Kan.) at the 13:29 point in the first 20 minutes.  But, the Vikings would cut the gap to 15-13 just three minutes later.
 
Peru State would go on another run and led by nine at 28-19 with just under seven minutes left in the first half as Sydney Young (Omaha) hit a trey on an assist from Brittany Harward (Orem, Utah).  Once again, Mo Valley would come back and cut it back to one as the Vikings scored eight consecutive points.
 
During the rest of the first 20 minutes, the game went back and forth with Peru State leading 36-35 at intermission.
 
After the first three minutes of the second half, the 'Cats jumped out to lead 45-39 only again to see the Vikings get back within one at 47-46 with 15:41 left in the game.
 
Peru State would score the next six points to go up 53-46.  After the Vikings scored the next four points, the Bobcats would eventually get to a double-digit lead at 61-51 as Stuart hit a three, this time on an assist from Hess. 
 
The 'Cats slowly stretched their lead out to 16 at 75-59 after Stuart another trey with the assist coming from Bowser.
 
Missouri Valley still had fight in them as they outscored the Bobcats 12 to 2 to get back within six at 77-71 with 1:39 left in the game. 
 
Fortunately for the Bobcats, they were able to hit some of their free throws down the stretch to preserve the 83-73 victory.
 
Team Statistics
 
Peru State had their best shooting from the floor during the season as they made 27 of 52 field goals for 51.9%.  This included making ten of 18 three-point tries for 55.6%.  At the free throw line, Peru State made 19 of 28 for 67.9%.
 
 

The Vikings made 39.7% of their field goals as they hit 23 of 58.  Missouri Valley made three of ten from behind the arc for 30%.  They were very good from the charity stripe as they made 24 of 30 for 80%.
 
The shorter Bobcats actually out-rebounded Missouri Valley 39 to 29.  Peru State did have some challenges handling the ball as they committed 20 turnovers while the Vikings had 12.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Peru State finished with three players in double figures with Stuart leading the 'Cats with a game-high 28 points.  The 28 points were a season high for Stuart, as were her six made three-point tries.  Stuart just missed a double-double as she grabbed eight rebounds.
 
Harward finished with a double-double as she had 14 points and ten rebounds.  Hess added 12 points and six rebounds.
 
Bowser finished just one shy of double figures while Young and Sydney Wilkinson (St. Joseph, Mo.) each added eight points.
 
Bowser dished out six assists to lead all players in that category.  Hess and Wilkinson each had three assists. 
 
Bowser was also the team leader with two steals while Hess and Wilkinson each had one.
 
Stuart and Hess each were credited with one blocked shot.

MISSOURI VALLEY GAME BOOK

 
Career Update
 
Stuart has moved into tenth place on the Bobcat women's basketball all-time scoring list with a total of 1.134 points. She replaced Liz Jessen who played from 1987-90 and is just four points shy of ninth place.
 
In addition, Stuart is eighth in the career three-point field goals made category made as she now has 114 and is just six out of seventh place. 
 
Finally, Stuart is now tenth in the career games played category with 11 as she moves ahead of Janelle Henderson (1990-93) and Hall of Fame member Connie Viner (1986-89).
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will have another pair of important games this upcoming week. 
 
On Thursday, the 'Cats will be traveling to Olathe, Kan., to face the MidAmerica Nazarene University Pioneers.  Currently, the Pioneers are on top of the conference race with a 13-1 mark and are 20-5 overall.  MidAmerica Nazarene is on an eight-game winning streak after suffering its only conference loss at the hands of the Bobcats back on January 15.  Game time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
 
Then, on Saturday, Peru State will be hosting Culver-Stockton College at 2 p.m.  The Wildcats lost on Saturday, but are 17-7 on the season and 9-5 in conference play. 
 
Saturday will be the College Foundation's Alumni Chili Feed with serving beginning at 2:30 p.m.  At halftime of the women's game, youth cheer camp participants will perform.  It will be followed by the Fantastic Flyers from Glenwood, Iowa.  Between games, the fall sports student-athletes will be recognized.