(Peru, Neb.) – The home-standing Evangel Crusaders gave the Peru State women's basketball team their seventh-straight loss Saturday afternoon in Springfield, Mo. The Crusaders took an 83-63 win after jumping to an early first-quarter lead.
 
Evangel improved to 7-11 on the season and 6-9 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) with the win. The 'Cats fell to 4-14 on the year and are now 2-13 in the Heart.
 

First Quarter Action
 
The Crusaders hit a trey to start the contest and never trailed in the game. Stevie Lone Dog (Mission, S.D.) hit a bucket to make it 3-2 with 9:05 left in the first period, but that was as close as Peru State would be in the entire game. Evangel led by ten at 12-2 before Abigail Niebrugge (Omaha) hit a bucket which was followed by a hoop by Lone Dog off an assist from Deandra Williams (Rosenberg, Texas) to make it 12-6 with 5:29 remaining. The Crusaders would lead 24-15 at the end of the first stanza.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Evangel would score the first five points of the second quarter to lead 29-15 before the Bobcats had a little rally. A three-pointer by Destany Ross (Gretna) made it 29-18 with 8:12 left. Later, back-to-back buckets by Lone Dog pulled the 'Cats to within seven at 29-22 with 6:11 left in the first half. But, the Crusaders would go on a 16-7 run to lead 45-29 at halftime.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Lone Dog would score the first bucket of the second half, but Evangel quickly responded to maintain their 16-point lead. Once again, Peru State would try to get back in the game as Williams would first hit a bucket in the paint off an assist from Niebrugge. Then, Kyle Johnson (Honolulu) hit a trey with 8:40 left in the period which was followed by another bucket by Williams in the paint off an assist from Lone Dog. Suddenly, with 7:56 left in the third stanza, Peru State was back within single digits at 47-38. Evangel would again go back up by as many as 16 only to see the 'Cats fight back to make it 58-49 after Johnson hit a bucket in the paint off another Niebrugge assist with 2:48 left in the stanza. Evangel would eventually lead 61-49 at the end of the quarter.
 
Fourth Quarter Action

 
The fourth quarter belonged to the Crusaders as they outscored the Bobcats 22-14 in route to the 83-63 win.

EVANGEL GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
The Bobcats actually had a better shooting percentage than Evangel from the floor, but took 14 fewer shots. Peru State made 26 of 55 field goals for 47.3%, one of their better shooting games of the season. This included make 5 of 16 three-point attempts for 31.3%. But, the 'Cats struggled from the free throw line as they only made 6 of 12 for 50%. Evangel connected on 29 of 69 field goals for 42% and were even better from downtown as they made 12 of 26 for 46.2%. Also, they were hot from the charity stripe making 13 of 16 for 81.3%.
 
Peru State also out-rebounded the Crusaders grabbing 37 boards compared to 33 for Evangel. The Crusaders dished out 13 assists while the 'Cats had eight. Turnovers were key as the Bobcats had twice as many errors as Evangel, 20 to 10. The Crusaders blocked two shots while the 'Cats had one. Evangel also doubled up the Bobcats in steals while finishing with ten.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Three Bobcats finished in double figures and were led by Williams who finished with 13 points on 6 of 10 shooting. Lone Dog added 12 while Johnson finished with ten. Jackie Beaugard (Omaha), in her first action in well over a month, added seven points with Niebrugge adding six.
 
Kiley Guerue (Morrill) led the team with a game-high nine rebounds. Lone Dog grabbed seven and Williams added six.
 

Brooke Maeda (Honolulu) and Niebrugge each dished out two assists. Kennedi Cooper (Long Beach, Calif.) was credited with the blocked shot. Niebrugge and Guerue each had two steals.
 
Upcoming Games
 
The 'Cats will be on the road Wednesday night when they travel to Oskaloosa, Iowa, to face William Penn at 5:30 p.m. The Statesmen, who were receiving votes in the most recent coaches' poll, are 12-6 overall and 10-4 in the Heart while on a two-game win streak.
 
Peru State will be back at home on Saturday, Jan. 28, when they host #16 MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) at 2 p.m. The Pioneers are 11-6 overall and are also 10-4 in the Heart having been upset at home on Saturday by Mount Mercy (Iowa).