(Peru, Neb.) – The Bobcat women's basketball team split a pair of games this past week. The 'Cats won Saturday at home over Missouri Valley College (MVC) 75-70 after falling at MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) 94-59 on Wednesday night.
With the split, Peru State is now 5-10 overall and is 2-5 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference which currently places them tenth in the 12-team league.
Justice Daniel led Peru State with 12
against MNU MidAmerica Nazarene Game Highlights The Bobcats fell behind early in the game as they trailed 25-10 after the first quarter. MidAmerica Nazarene outscore Peru State in each of the following quarters – second 21-12, third 21-18, and fourth 27-19 in route to the big win in Olathe, Kan.
MidAmerica Nazarene Team Statistics While the Pioneers almost doubled up the Bobcats in scoring, it was because of the difference in field goal shooting where MNU did double the efforts of the 'Cats. MNU hit 36 of 73 field goals for 49.3% including making 6 of 17 from long range. Peru State made 15 of 61 for just 24.6% and did not hit a three-point bucket while missing all 17 tries. The Bobcats did fare better at the free throw line as they made 29 of 39 of 74.4% while MNU made 16 of 33 for 48.5%.
The Pioneers grabbed 60 rebounds while Peru State had just 38. MNU dished out 27 assists compared to Peru State's seven. The Pioneers also blocked eight shots with the 'Cats managing just one. The only statistic that was close was the steals with MNU having ten compared to the Bobcats' eight.
Peru State at MNU Player Statistics Only two Bobcats finished in double figures with
Justice Daniel (Olathe, Kan.) leading the way with 12 points while
Jackie Beaugard (Omaha) adding ten. Three other Bobcats –
Celine Jolicoeur (Elmont, N.Y.), Rashaun Casey (Rogers, Ark.), and
Sydney Wilkinson (St. Joseph, Mo.) each added eight points.
Beaugard, Daniel, and
Madara Laure (Riga, Latvia) each finished with four rebounds.
Beaugard dished out three assists with Daniel adding another two. Beaugard was credited with the lone blocked shot by PSC and also led the team with three steals. Daniel and Wilkinson were each credited with two steals.
Jackie Beaugard goes for two of
her game-high 19 points.MNU GAME BOX Missouri Valley Game Highlights After the Vikings made the first bucket of the game, Wilkinson hit a bucket to tie the game. On the next possession, Wilkinson followed with a steal and took it to the hoop for another two to make it 4-2 Peru State with 9:24 left in the game. The Bobcats never trailed from that point on.
Peru State led 26-14 after the first quarter and then increased their lead to 15 at halftime as the 'Cats led 40-25.
Mo Valley did try to make it interesting down the stretch as they outscored the Bobcats by five in both the third and fourth quarters. The Vikings did manage to get within one at 66-65 with 2:14 left in the game. Casey was important to her team down the stretch as she hit a three-pointer with 1:07 remaining to make it 71-65. In addition, Casey made all four free throws in the final minute to preserve the win.
Missouri Valley Team Statistics Both teams shot the ball fairly well from the field with Mo Valley actually shooting better by making 24 of 51 from the floor for 47.1% which included making 2 of 12 from long range for 16.7%. At the charity stripe, the Vikings made 20 of 32 for 62.5%.
Peru State made 24 of 60 field goals for 40% but unlike Wednesday night where they could not make a trey, the Bobcats made 11 of 34 for 32.4% including hitting eight in the first half. The 'Cats were 16 of 28 at the free throw line for 57.1%.
The Vikings held a slight edge in rebounding as they grabbed 35 while Peru State had 29. The Bobcats dished out 13 assists with MVC having four. The Vikings committed 17 turnovers with the 'Cats having 12. Mo Valley was credited for the lone blocked shot in the game. One significant difference was that Peru State nabbed nine steals and converted many of those into points while the Vikings only had two steals.
Rashaun Casey shoots in the first half
for Peru State. Casey's seven points
down the stretch sealed the win. Peru State vs. MVC Individual Statistics Four Bobcats finished in double figures with Beaugard scoring a game-high 19 points on 5 of 6 shooting from the floor.
Jackie Robles (Parlier, Calif.) added 14 points with Daniel and
Kealy Ensminger (Homer) having 11 and ten respectively.
Heather Brekke (Sunrise, Fla.) and Casey each finished with eight points with Casey scoring seven of those eight in the final 67 seconds.
Beaugard just missed a double-double as she finished the game with nine rebounds. Robles added eight points with Laure grabbing six.
Wilkinson dished out a game-high six assists with Daniel contributing three. Wilkinson also had a game-high five steals with Casey adding two.
MO VALLEY GAME BOX Upcoming Games Peru State has a very busy week coming up as they will play three conference games.
On Monday, the Bobcats will travel to Springfield, Mo., to face Evangel University at 5:30 p.m. The Crusaders are currently 4-8 overall and 3-4 in the Heart having lost Saturday night to William Penn.
Then, on Thursday, Peru State will be back at home hosting Baker University at 5:30 p.m. The Wildcats are presently 10-4 overall and 4-3 in conference play. Baker has lost their last two games in the Heart.
Finally, on Saturday, the 'Cats will be on the road again and will be in Kansas City, Mo., to take on Avila University. The Eagles have managed to win just one game this season and are still looking for their first Heart win.
