(Peru, Neb.) – The 11^th-ranked Benedictine Ravens proved their ranking at home in Atchison, Kan., Saturday as the topped the visiting Peru State Bobcats 72-53.
 
With the win, the Ravens improved to 7-3 overall and 6-1 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). The 'Cats fell to 3-7 overall and 1-6 in conference action.
 
First Quarter Action
 
After Benedictine jumped to a 5-0 lead, a three-pointer by Jackie Robles (Parlier, Calif.) off an assist from Abigail Niebrugge (Omaha) cut the deficit to 5-3 with 5:49 left in the quarter. Brooke Madea (Honolulu) would follow with a jumper to tie it at 5-5. The Ravens would respond with a bucket only to have Peru State's Kiley Guerue (Morrill) drain a trey to give Peru State the 8-7 lead with 4:56 left in the first ten minutes. Ironically, that would be the last lead the 'Cats would have in the game as Benedictine would score the next six points and eventually lead by nine at 19-10 at the end of

the quarter.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Benedictine would lead by as many as 16 in the second quarter at 29-13 with 6:18 left. At the end of the first half, Peru State would trail 35-22.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
As they have in many games, the Bobcats would continue to fight. With 4:08 left in the third quarter, a basket by Deandra Williams (Rosenburg, Texas) off an assist from Deja Cato (Pontiac, Mich.) would pull the Bobcats to within five at 39-34. However, the Ravens would outscore Peru State 14-8 and would lead 53-42 going into the final stanza.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
The Bobcats would not be able to get the game down to single-digits in the fourth quarter as Benedictine would outscore Peru State 19-11 to win the game 72-53.

BENEDICTINE GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Benedictine's shooting percentage was 40.7% as they made 24 of 59 field goal attempts, but were cold from long range as they made just 4 of 21 for 19%. The Ravens made 20 of 26 free throws for 76.9%. Peru State made 17 of 47 field goals for 36.2% which included making 7 of 22 from long distance for 31.8%. At the charity stripe, the 'Cats made 12 of 19 for 63.2%.

 
The Ravens outrebounded Peru State 40-29 and had more assists 17-11 than the 'Cats. The Bobcats committed 22 turnovers while Benedictine had 14 miscues.
 
Benedictine had two blocked shots and had 14 steals compared to eight for the Bobcats.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Williams led the Bobcats with ten points and finished with a double-double as she had ten boards.
 
Robles had eight points while Guerue and Cato each added six points. Ashley Flores (Wittier, Calif.) added seven rebounds.
 
Cato dished out five assists while Maeda added two. Cato was also credited for three steals while Williams added two.
 
Upcoming Game
 
The Bobcats will play one more contest in 2016 and will host Clarke University from Dubuque, Iowa, on Saturday, Dec. 10, at noon. The Crusaders are newcomers to the Heart and are presently 7-3 overall and 4-3 in the Heart. They have won their last four in a row – all in conference play.

The Fantastic Flyer of Gary's Tumbling in Glenwood, Iowa, will perform at halftime of both games on the tenth.