(Peru, Neb.) – After trailing at halftime, the William Penn women's basketball team got things going in the second half. The Statesmen pulled away on their way to a 63-53 win over the visiting Peru State Bobcats Wednesday night in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
 
With the win, the Statesmen – who were receiving votes in the most recent NAIA DI Coaches' Poll, improved to 13-6 overall and 11-4 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). Peru State suffered its eighth-straight loss while falling to 4-15 overall and 2-14 in conference play.

 
First Quarter Action
 
William Penn scored the first bucket but were later tied as Kyle Johnson (Honolulu) hit a bucket in the paint on an assist from Deandra Williams (Rosenberg, Texas) at the 8:19 mark. On the next time down the court, Williams put in a bucket off an assist from Abigail Niebrugge (Omaha) and the 'Cats had their first lead at 4-2. The Statesmen would again tie it, but with 6:38 remaining in the quarter, Brooke Maeda (Honolulu) hit a trey off an assist from Niebrugge and the Bobcats would lead the rest of the quarter.
 
Peru State had its largest lead at 18-9 after Niebrugge hit a three-pointer coming off an assist from Jackie Beaugard (Omaha) with 2:24 left in the stanza. The Statesmen would cut into the lead and trailed 18-13 after the first ten minutes.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
The Statesmen would score the first five points of the second quarter to tie the game at 18-18 in the first two minutes. With 6:25 left in the half, Jackie Robles (Parlier, Calif.) hit a field goal in the paint on an assist from Beaugard to put the Bobcats back up at 20-18.
 
Later, after the game was tied at 24-24, Peru State would outscore the Statesmen 8-3 to take a 32-27 lead into the half. Williams, on an assist from Kiley Guerue (Morrill), provided the final two points of the first half.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Peru State maintained its lead in the third quarter until William Penn gained its first lead of the second half at 37-36 with 6:22 left. The Statesmen would lead by as many as eight at 44-36 before the 'Cats would fight back to eventually tie it up. Williams got a dime from Guerue to start the run with a bucket in the paint. Then Niebrugge drained a trey off an assist from Stevie Lone Dog (Mission, S.D.) which was followed by a three-pointer by Guerue off a Niebrugge assist. Suddenly, the game was tied at 44-44 with 1:38 left in the third stanza.
 
The Bobcats would regain the lead with a free throw by Lone Dog followed by a basket by Lone Dog. William Penn would get a bucket late in the quarter, but Peru State still led at that point 47-46.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
The Statesmen hit the first basket of the fourth quarter, but Williams responded with a hoop to give what would be Peru State's final lead of the game at 49-48 with 9:29 on the clock. William Penn would score the next six points and never trailed as they eventually won 63-53.

WILLIAM PENN GAME BOOK

 
Team Statistics
 
William Penn shot a very respectable 45.8% from the floor as they made 27 of 59 field goals. But, they struggled from behind the arc as they made only 1 of 9 for 11.1%. The Statesmen made just 8 of 16 free throws for 50%. The 'Cats connected on 21 of 70 field goals for 30% which included making 5 of 21 treys for 23.8%. Peru State also struggled at the free throw line making 6 of 12 for 50%.
 
Peru State out-rebounded the Statesmen 45 to 37 and dished out more assists 19 to 14. Both teams had trouble handling the ball as the Bobcats had 23 turnovers compare to 21 for the Statesmen. Both teams blocked four shots. The 'Cats had seven steals while William Penn had five.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Williams led all scorers with 20 points on 10 of 19 shooting. Niebrugge added ten while Maeda finished with eight.
 
Lone Dog had a game-high 11 rebounds with Niebrugge grabbing seven and Williams adding six. Lone Dog, Niebrugge, and Guerue each dished out a game-high four assists with Beaugard contributing three.
 
Niebrugge blocked two shots while Williams and Johnson each had one block. Williams and Maeda each had two steals.
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will be back at home for three of its next four contests. On Saturday, the Bobcats will host MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) at 2 p.m. The 16^th-ranked Pioneers are 12-6 overall and 11-4 in the Heart having won their game last night over Grand View (Iowa).
 
On Monday, Jan. 30, the 'Cats will host Culver-Stockton (Mo.) at 5:30 p.m. The Wildcats are presently 8-12 on the season and 6-10 in the Heart.
 
The Bobcats will head to Des Moines on Feb. 2 to face Grand View before returning home for a contest with Benedictine (Kan.) on Feb. 4 at 2 p.m.
 
February 4 is the National Alumni Association Chili Feed which will begin at 2:30 p.m. At halftime of both games, the Fantastic Flyers of Gary's Tumbling will be performing. Between games, the fall student-athletes and seniors from both basketball teams and cheerleading will be recognized.