(Peru, Neb.) – An 11-point lead looked good with just over six minutes to go.  But, the Peru State women's basketball team had to hold on for a win over the home-standing Avila University Eagles 65-61 in Kansas City, Mo., on Saturday. The Eagles cut it to one at 62-61, but the 'Cats hit three of four free throws down the stretch for the win.
 
With the win, Peru State improves to 7-16 overall and 3-9 in Heart of America Athletic Conference action.  The Eagles fell to 3-10 in conference play and 8-13 overall. The victory for the 'Cats moved them out of the Heart cellar and put them only one game out of sixth place in the overall rankings.

 
Game Action
 
After a turnover for Avila started the game, Shelbie Hess (Phoenix) put Peru State on the board first off an assist from Rylie Bowser (Holton, Kan.).  On their next possession, the Eagles tied it up at 2-2.
 
Coming off an offensive rebound, Sydney Young (Omaha), who had just entered the game, took a pass from Madara Laure (Riga, Latvia) and drained a three-pointer to make it 5-2 with 18:05 left in the first half. From that point on, the Bobcats never trailed, although Avila kept it close throughout.
 
The 'Cats would take their first double-digit lead at 14-4 as Young returned the favor to Laure who hit a trey with just over 15 minutes to go in the first 20 minutes.
 
Peru State's largest lead in the game would be 12 points which the last 12-point advantage coming after another Laure three-pointer with 3:10 remaining in the half.  The Bobcats led 36-24 at that point.
 
At the intermission, Peru State led 40-31.
 
Avila cut the lead to four at 45-41 at the 15:54 mark in the second half.  However, three consecutive buckets by Karlee Stuart (Las Animas, Colo.) put the 'Cats back up by ten at 51-41 with 12:58 left in the game. Stuart's first bucket came on an assist from Hess.
 
The largest lead in the second half for the Bobcats came with 6:35 left in the game as Stuart hit another bucket making it 57-46.
 
The Eagles went on a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to four at 57-53 with just under five minutes remaining.  Stuart made one of two free throws, but later Avila would hit a field goal to cut Peru State's lead to three.
 
A pair of free throws by Hess and another field goal by Stuart put the 'Cats up by seven at 62-55 with 48 ticks left on the clock. However, the Eagles were not through as they scored six straight points.
 
 

Young would make the second of two free throws to give Peru State a two-point cushion with 18 seconds left. The Bobcats would grab the next defensive rebound and Hess would make both free throws for what would be the final scoring of the game.
 
Team Statistics
 
From the floor, both teams were pretty even in their shooting while Avila held the advantage at the free throw line. 
 
Peru State made 21 of 57 field goals for 36.8% which included making 8 of 28 from three-point range for 28.6%. From the charity stripe, the 'Cats made 15 of 21 for 71.4%.
 
The Eagles were 21 of 54 from the floor for 38.9% and made 5 of 20 from long range for 25%. At the free throw line, Avila connected on 14 of 15 for 93.3%.
 
Avila held a slight rebounding edge as they grabbed 31 boards compared to the Bobcats' 25. Peru State had a season low in turnovers with nine while the Eagles had double that number.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Laure finished the game with a career-high 22 points on 6 of 11 shooting, including making 4 of 9 three-point attempts. During the year, Laure had only been in double figures three times with her previous high being 11.
 
Stuart and Hess finished with 14 and 11 respectively as the Bobcats had three scorers finishing in double figures.
 
Bowser led the team with six rebounds while Stuart and Hess each added five.
 
Stuart had a game-high four assists with Laure and Bowser each dishing out three. Stuart and Brittany Harward (Orem, Utah) each had two steals. Laure and Bowser were each credited with one blocked shot.

AVILA GAME BOOK
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will have two home games this coming week. On Thursday, the Bobcats will host Graceland University at 5:30 p.m. The Yellowjackets are currently 7-14 overall and 4-9 in the Heart, just one game ahead of the Bobcats in the conference standings.
 
Then, on Saturday, the 'Cats will host Missouri Valley College with the game scheduled to start at 2 p.m. Presently, the Vikings are 11-10 on the season and 7-5 in conference play which places them in fourth in the conference.