(Peru, Neb.) – The Peru State women's basketball team had another opportunity for a win get away from them late in the game as the Bobcats fell at Avila 78-70 in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday night. It was the fourth loss in a row for the 'Cats.
 
The Bobcats are now 4-11 on the season and 2-10 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) after the loss. The Eagles improved to 4-10 overall and 3-9 in the Heart.

 
First Quarter Action
 
The Eagles scored the first seven points of the game before Deja Cato (Pontiac, Mich.) hit a bucket in the paint with 7:03 left in the quarter to get the 'Cats on the board. Avila would increase its lead to nine at 11-2 before Peru State would go on an 11-2 run to tie it at 13-13 after Abigail Niebrugge (Omaha) hit a bucket on an assist from Jackie Robles (Parlier, Calif.) with 3:51 left in the stanza. The game was later tied at 16-16 before the Eagles would finish the period on a 5-2 run to lead 21-18.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Avila would build its lead back up to eight at 34-26 with 5:22 left before Robles started an 11-0 run with a trey for Peru State. Robles' bucket came on an assist from Stevie Lone Dog (Mission, S.D.). Robles would then get a two-pointer which was followed by a bucket by Brooke Maeda (Honolulu) who scored on an assist from Niebrugge to make it 34-33 Avila. Robles scored again at the 3:24 mark and Peru State was in the lead 35-34 at that point.
 
Peru State would continue its scoring which finished with a bucket by Destany Ross (Gretna) off an assist from Cato giving the 'Cats a seven-point lead at halftime 44-37.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
The Bobcats led until 6:03 left in the quarter when Avila tied it at 49-49. The teams would trade points during the rest of the quarter with a trey by Ross knotting the game at 58-58 going into the final ten minutes.

 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
Avila scored the first two buckets of the fourth quarter before Deandra William (Rosenberg, Texas) would complete an old-fashioned three-point play on an assist from Cato to pull Peru State within one point. Williams would then give the 'Cats the lead on another bucket at 63-62. The game would later be tied at 65-65 and 68-68 before the Eagles would outscore the Bobcats 10-2 for the 78-70 win.

AVILA GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Avila held a distinct shooting advantage shooting-wise in the contest as they made 28 of 61 field goals for 45.9% which included making 3 of 7 from long range for 42.9%. At the free throw line, the Eagles made 19 of 27 for 70.4%. Peru State made just 29 of 81 field goals for 35.8% and connected on 7 of 26 from behind the arc for 26.9%. The 'Cats struggled at the charity stripe making just 5 of 14 for 35.7% - their lowest game percentage of the year.
 
The Eagles had the advantage in rebounding 45 to 32, but the Bobcats dished out more assists 21 to 18. Peru State had 15 turnovers while Avila committed 23 miscues. Avila blocked nine shots while the Bobcats had two. The 'Cats nabbed 13 steals while Avila had nine.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Four Bobcats finished in double figures and were led by Williams and Niebrugge who each finished with 15 points. Robles added 14 off the bench with Maeda adding ten.

 
Lone Dog grabbed ten rebounds with Williams just missing another double-double as she added nine. Cato led the team with five assists while Niebrugge, Kennedi Cooper (Long Beach, Calif.), and Robles each added three.
 
Williams blocked two shots while Niebrugge led the team with a game-high seven steals.
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will be at home on Saturday when they host Mount Mercy (Iowa) at noon which is a time change from the posters and schedule cards. The Mustangs are presently 7-9 overall and 4-8 in the conference play and are on a three-game losing streak.
 
Next Wednesday, Jan. 18, the 'Cats will be in Marshall, Mo., to face the Vikings of Missouri Valley at 5:30 p.m. The Vikings are currently 7-9 overall and 3-9 in the Heart and also have lost four straight. Mo Valley beat the Bobcat in overtime in November 62-61 in Peru.