(Peru, Neb.) – An 8-0 start by the Grand View University women's basketball team put the Bobcat women in the hole and Peru State had a hard time coming back in Des Moines Wednesday night. The Vikings went on to win 82-68.
With the win, Grand View improved to 12-13 overall and 9-10 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The 'Cats fell to 5-22 on the season and 2-17 in the Heart.
First Half Action After trailing 8-0 in the first quarter,
Sydney Wilkinson (St. Joseph, Mo.) hit a bucket in the paint with 5:40 left to get Peru State on the board. The Vikings would end the quarter with a 20-10 lead.
In the second quarter,
Kealy Ensminger (Homer) scored in the paint to cut the deficit to eight at 20-12. Peru State did get within five when
Jackie Robles (Parlier, Calif.) completed an old-fashioned three-point play to make it 22-17 with 7:02 left in the half. Grand View went on an 18-8 run to end the half and led 40-25.
Second Half Action After being down by 23 at 50-27 with 7:26 left in the third quarter, Peru State did as it has many times this season, they cut deep into the lead. With 3:17 on the clock,
Madara Laure (Riga, Latvia) hit a trey on an assist from
Jackie Beaugard (Omaha) and the 'Cats trailed 52-44 at that point. Later, a Beaugard bucket in the paint made it 54-48 with 1:50 left. Robles would later hit a three-pointer with 51 seconds left and the Bobcats trailed 57-52. A Viking bucket ended the quarter with the Bobcats trailing by seven at 59-52.
Back-to-back threes by Grand View put them up by double digits and Peru State could not respond this time and went on to lose 82-68.
GRAND VIEW BOX SCORE Team Statistics Grand View hit 29 of 64 field goals for 45.3% which included making 15 of 29 from long range for 51.7%. From the charity stripe, the Vikings made 9 of 17 for 52.9%. The Bobcats made 25 of 67 field goal tries for 37.3% while hitting 6 of 21 from behind the arc for 28.6%. Peru State was slightly better at the free throw line making 12 of 22 for 54.5%.
The Vikings had a big rebounding edge as they grabbed 48 boards while Peru State had 32. Grand View more than doubled up the 'Cats in assists as they had 23 while Peru State finished with ten. The Bobcats did commit fewer turnovers – 11 compared to 17. The Vikings had four blocked shots while Peru State was credited with one. Grand View had six steals – one more than the 'Cats.
Individual Statistics Robles had a Bobcat career-high with 28 points on 10 of 15 shooting from the floor including making all four three-point attempts. Beaugard also finished in double figures with 17 points while Laure added ten.
Robles also led the team with seven rebounds while Beaugard and Wilkinson each added five.
Justice Daniel (Olathe, Kan.) dished out three assists with Wilkinson and Laure each adding two. Beaugard was credited with the lone blocked shot. Wilkinson led the team with two steals.
Upcoming Games This Saturday's game will be key to whether or not the Bobcats make the Heart's post-season conference tournament. Peru State will be hosting Avila University at 2 p.m. The Eagles and Bobcats are tied for tenth with 2-17 conference marks. Only ten teams make the post-season tournament so this likely will determine who will be in and who will be out.
Saturday's game will also be the College's Foundation Alumni Chili Feed. The Foundation will begin serving chili around 2:30 p.m. Between games, the fall sport student-athletes will be recognized. At halftime of each game, the Fantastic Flyers of Gary's Tumbling in Glenwood, Iowa, will be performing.
Next Wednesday, the Bobcats will be traveling to Baldwin City, Kan., to take on Baker University. The Wildcats are 13-6 in the Heart and 19-7 overall. Game time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
