(Peru, Neb.) – Facing their second ranked team in a row, the Peru State women's basketball team fell at the hands of the #16-ranked Central Methodist (CMU) Eagles Monday night in Fayette, Mo. The Eagles topped the 'Cats 88-64.
 
CMU improved to 13-2 overall and are 9-2 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). The Bobcats fell to 4-10 overall and are now 2-9 in the Heart.

 
First Quarter Action
 
Peru State jumped to the early lead with a three-pointer by Maddy McPhillips (Omaha) off an assist from Abigail Niebrugge (Omaha). Stevie Lone Dog (Mission, S.D.) got a steal and took it to the hoop to make it 5-0 'Cats with 7:49 left in the quarter. The Eagles would tie it up at 5-5 before Niebrugge drained a trey of her own to put Peru State up 8-5. That would be the last lead the Bobcats would have in the game even though they were tied near the end of the first stanza at 16-16. CMU would score the final four points of the quarter to lead 20-16 after ten minutes.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
A bucket by Lone Dog would pull the 'Cats within two at 20-18, but that would be as close as Peru State would be in the quarter and the rest of the game. CMU would lead by as many as 14 in the period at 38-24 before a basket by Deandra Williams (Rosenberg, Texas) and another trey by Niebrugge would pull the Bobcats back to single digits at 38-29. The first half would end with Central Methodist leading 40-31.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
The Eagles would score the first 13 points of the second half and never were challenged the rest of the contest. Lone Dog would score Peru State's first points of the quarter with 5:14 remaining. CMU would lead 69-42 after 30 minutes.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
CMU would lead by as many as 31 in the stanza before Peru State closed the gap a little before losing 88-64.

CENTRAL METHODIST GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
The Eagles made 30 of 69 field goals for 43.5% which included making a hot 11 of 22 three-point attempts for 50%. At the charity stripe, CMU made 17 of 20 for 85%. Peru State make 22 of 68 field goal tries for 32.4% including 9 of 28 from long range for 32.1%. At the free throw line, the 'Cats made 11 of 18 for 61.1%.
 

CMU held the rebounding edge 46 to 37 and also had a slight advantage in assists, 18 to 16. Both teams had trouble with turnovers as Peru State committed 23 while the Eagles had 17. Central Methodist blocked three shots. The Eagles grabbed 13 steals while Peru State managed to get just four.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Two Bobcats finished in double figures and were led by Williams with 14 points while Lone Dog added ten. Niebrugge was just one shy of double figures while finishing with nine points.
 
Williams finished with a double-double as she grabbed a game-high ten boards. Lone Dog added eight rebounds.
 
Niebrugge, Deja Cato (Pontiac, Mich.), Brooke Maeda (Honolulu), and Kennedi Cooper (Long Beach, Calif.) each dished out three assists. Lone Dog was credited with two steals.
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will travel to Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday to face Avila at 5:30 p.m. The two teams almost have identical records as the Eagles are 3-10 overall and are tied with the Bobcats at 2-9 in the basement of the Heart.
 
On Saturday, the 'Cats will be at home to host Mount Mercy (Iowa) at noon. The Mustangs are 7-8 overall and are presently 4-7 in conference play.