(Peru, Neb.) – For the first time since Nov. 2, 2012, the Peru State women's basketball team won their season opener with a convincing 77-43 win over the visiting Grace Royals of Omaha. In 2012, the Bobcats topped Tabor (Kan.) 77-70 for their opening win.
 
The 'Cats are 1-0 on the season while Grace fell to 0-2. The Royals are a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association but plays a heavy dose of NAIA teams.

 
First Quarter Action
 
After the Royals scored the first bucket of the game, Abigail Niebrugge (Omaha) scored the first points of the season for Peru State off an assist from Jackie Robles (Parlier, Calif.) at the 9:22 mark. The Royals would score again on their next possession only to see Robles drain a trey off an assist from Jackie Beaugard (Omaha) to give the 'Cats a 5-4 advantage. The Bobcats would never trail after that point.
 
Peru State would go on to score 14 more straight points before the Royals would get on the board. The first quarter would end with the Bobcats leading 21-7.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Both teams were cold for nearly two minutes into the stanza before Deandra Williams (Rosenburg, Texas) hit a bucket in the paint after she grabbed an offensive rebound at the 8:12 mark.
 
The 'Cats would outscore Grace 12-6 in the period to take a 33-13 lead.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Beaugard would get an offensive rebound to start the second half and put it back up to start the third period. Peru State led by as many as 36 at 55-19 after Robles put in a bucket off an assist from Kyle Johnson (Honolulu). Later, they would lead again by 36 at 57-21 when Ashley Flores (Wittier, Calif.) scored on an assist from Kiley Guerue (Morrill).
 
In the quarter, Peru State outscored the Royals 24-11 and led 57-24.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
The Bobcats substituted frequently in the fourth quarter as it was played nearly even with Peru State outscoring Grace 20-19 for the 77-43 victory.
GRACE GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 

Neither team shot the ball real well, but Peru State did manage to make 29 of 89 field goals for 32.6% while the Royals made 14 of 50 tries for 28%. The Royals did not make any three-point goals on nine attempts while the 'Cats made 8 of 35 for 22.9%. Grace was better at the free throw line than Peru State where the Royals made 9 of 15 tries for 75% while the Bobcats made 11 of 18 for 61.1%.
 
Peru State had a big rebounding advantage which led to more field goal attempts. The Bobcats grabbed 54 boards while the Royals, with a 6-3 post player, managed only 36.
 
The 'Cats had 17 dimes while Grace had six assists. Peru State forced the Royals into 27 turnovers while only committing nine. Grace had four blocked shots while the Bobcats had three. The Bobcats had 16 steals compared to seven for Grace.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Without during a thorough search of game records, it most likely would be safe to say that it has been a long time since Peru State has had five players in double figures in scoring.
 
The very-balanced scoring attack was led by Williams who finished with 13 points while Brooke Madea (Honolulu) added 12. Niebrugge and Destany Ross (Gretna) each added 11 points while Robles finished with ten. Five other Bobcats were in the scoring column.
 
Guerue led the team with eight rebounds while Williams and Beaugard each finished with seven boards. Flores and Ross each added six rebounds.
 
Beaugard dished out four assists while Robles contributed three. Madea, Niebrugge, and Ross each had two assists.
 
Madea and Robles each had four steals with Williams and Beaugard each grabbing two.
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State's next four games are at home as well. Next Friday night, Nov. 4, the Bobcats will host the College of St. Mary – head coach Chuck Brewer's former team before coming to Peru State. Game time is 5:30 p.m.
 
Then, on Election Day, the 'Cats will host Mount Marty (S.D.) at 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov. 12, Peru State will begin Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) play against Evangel (Mo.) at 2 p.m.