(Peru, Neb.) – After a relatively close first half, the William Penn University women's basketball team slowly pulled away in the second half to defeat the Bobcats 60-38 in Oskaloosa, Iowa, Tuesday night.
 
With the loss, Peru State's season ended with a 6-25 season record. The Statesmen improved to 14-16 and will travel to face second-seeded MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) University Thursday night.

 
First Quarter Action
 
Jackie Beaugard (Omaha) scored the first bucket of the game coming off an assist from Sydney Wilkinson (St. Joseph, Mo.) with 8:24 left in the game. William Penn scored the next four points to lead 4-2 before Justice Daniel (Olathe, Kan.) made one of two free throws. Later, at the 5:05 mark, Beaugard hit a bucket in the paint off a fast break with Daniel providing the assist. That would prove to be the last lead Peru State would have in their 2015-16 season as William Penn scored the next five points and never trailed after that. At the end of the first quarter, the Statesmen led 15-9.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
While William Penn led the rest of the way, the second quarter remained under a single-digit lead with the Statesmen leading by nine at 25-16 with 4:04 left in the first half. Daniel would hit a three-point on an assist from Wilkinson and then Jackie Robles (Parlier, Calif.) hit a bucket to pull the 'Cats back within four at 25-21 with 57 seconds remaining in the quarter. William Penn would end the quarter with a trey and led 28-21 at halftime.

 
Third Quarter Action
 
Neither team scored much in the third quarter as William Penn outscored Peru State 9 to 5 to lead 37-25 at the end of 30 minutes.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
After the Statesmen led by as many as 14 early in the quarter, the Bobcats did stage another mini-rally as they pulled to within eight at 40-32 after Celine Jolicoeur (Elmont, N.Y.) hit a trey off an assist from Wilkinson. William Penn would then outscore Peru State 20 to 6 the rest of the way on their way to a first-round win.

WILLIAM PENN GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
The Statesmen made 22 of 56 field goal attempts for 39.3% which included making 1 of 3 from long range for 33.3%. At the free throw line, William Penn made 15 of 25 for 60%. Peru State made only 13 of 56 field goals for 23.2% and had a dismal night from behind the arc making only 2 of 17 for 11.8%. At the charity stripe, the 'Cats made 10 of 18 for 55.6%.
 
The much-taller Statesmen more than doubled up the Bobcats in rebounding as they grabbed 57 boards compared to just 26 for Peru State. William Penn dished out 13 assists while Peru State had just five. The Bobcats did commit fewer turnovers than William Penn as they finished with 15 while the Statesmen had 24. The 'Cats blocked four shots while William Penn had three. Peru State had 14 steals with the Statesmen finishing with eight.
 
Individual Statistics
 

Beaugard led Peru State with 12 points as she was the only Bobcat in double figures. Robles added eight with Jolicouer finishing with five.
 
Beaugard was also the team's top rebounder as she grabbed seven boards. Wilkinson was credited with five rebounds.
 
Wilkinson dished out four of the team's five assists with Daniel credited for the other. Beaugard had all four of the team's blocked shots and she also led the team in steals with six. Wilkinson added three steals while Rashaun Casey (Rogers, Ark.) added two.
 
Two Bobcat Seniors
 
Wilkinson and Madara Laure (Riga, Latvia) ended their careers Tuesday night in a Bobcat uniform. Ten Peru State players will return and will be joined by several recruits as they look to the 2016-17 season.