(Peru, Neb.) – The #24 Central Methodist University (CMU) Eagles built a 31-point cushion by halftime and went on to an easy 89-67 win over Peru State on Saturday.
 
With the win, the league-leading Eagles improved to 16-2 overall and 11-1 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. Peru State fell to 5-15 overall and 2-10 in conference play.

 
First Quarter Action
 
Central Methodist hit the opening three-pointer and never trailed in the contest. Jackie Robles (Parlier, Calif.) hit a two-pointer in the paint and with 9:13 left in the first quarter, Peru State trailed just 3-2. That would be as close as the Bobcats would be during the rest of the game. CMU would score the next 11 points to lead 14-2 before Madara Laure (Riga, Latvia) would make a pair of free throws to stop the run with 4:24 left in the quarter. The Eagles would outscore the 'Cats 17 to 3 to take a 31-7 lead at the end of the first ten minutes.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
The Eagles would move out to a 39-9 lead with 7:12 left before Samantha Zavala (Sanger, Calif.) hit a trey to again stop a CMU run. Sydney Wilkinson (St. Joseph, Mo.) would hit a bucket in the paint and the Bobcats still trailed 39-14 with 6:18 left in the first half. CMU would end the first half with a 56-25 lead.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
After CMU scored the first four points of the quarter, Kealy Ensminger (Homer) made one of two free throws to score the first Bobcat points making it 60-25 with 8:09 remaining in the stanza. The Eagles stretched their lead to 44 points at 72-28 before Peru State would start to cut into the lead. CMU led 74-37 after 30 minutes.

 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
Again, the Eagles would score the first points of the final quarter and led 79-37 before Jackie Beaugard (Omaha) scored the first points of the final ten minutes for Peru State. CMU would lead 87-44 with 5:34 remaining before the 'Cats would go on a 23 to 2 run to finish the game.

CENTRAL METHODIST GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
CMU hit 31 of 70 field goals for 44.3% including making 12 of 31 for 38.7% from long range. The Eagles made 15 of 21 free throws for 71.4%. Peru State made 22 of 70 field goals for 31.4% and actually shot better from behind the arc as they made 10 of 29 for 34.5%. At the free throw line, the 'Cats made 13 of 16 for 81.3%.
 
The Eagles nearly grabbed double the amount of rebounds as CMU had 52 while Peru State had 28. CMU had 21 assists compared to the Bobcats' 15. Block teams blocked three shots. Turnovers hurt both teams as the Eagles had 25 while Peru State had 18. The 'Cats stole ten balls with CMU having eight.

 
Individual Statistics
 
Ensminger led the Bobcats with 17 points while Rashaun Casey (Rogers, Ark.) added 11. Beaugard was also in double figures as she finished with ten. Zavala had her Bobcat career-high with eight points.
 
Wilkinson led Peru State with six rebounds with four other Bobcats grabbing three boards each. Heather Brekke (Sunrise, Fla.) dished out five assists while Beaugard and Wilkinson each adding three. Beaugard led the team with a game-high three steals with Casey adding two. Beaugard blocked two shots with Wilkinson credited for the other one.
 
Upcoming Games
 
The Bobcats have a pair of home games next week. On Wednesday, the #11 Benedictine College Ravens visit the Al Wheeler Activity Center for a 5:30 p.m. contest. The Ravens easily defeated Culver-Stockton (Mo.) on Saturday and are now 17-3 overall and 9-3 in the Heart. Benedictine topped Peru State 75-58 back in December.
 
At halftime of the women's game, the Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer Mock Trial Teams will be recognized as one of the teams made the state tournament.
 
On Saturday, William Penn University (Iowa) will be the visitors for a 2 p.m. The Statesmen are now 9-10 overall and 6-6 in the Heart having won their last two games in a row.