(Peru, Neb.) – A fast start by the Graceland women's basketball team was all the Yellowjackets needed in route to their 82-61 win over the visiting Peru State Bobcats Wednesday night.
 
The win was just the second for Graceland who improved to 2-10 overall and 2-8 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). Peru State fell to 4-8 overall and 2-7 in conference action.

 
First Quarter Action
 
The Yellowjackets score the first four points before a bucket by Deandra Williams (Rosenberg, Texas) hit a field goal after grabbing an offensive rebound at the 7:45 point in the quarter. Peru State was still within five at 15-10 after Jackie Robles (Parlier, Calif.) hit a bucket, but after that point, the Yellowjackets went on a 13-5 run to lead 28-15 after the first ten minutes.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Graceland would extend their lead in the second quarter as they outscored the 'Cats 18-9 and led 46-24 at halftime.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
The Yellowjackets would extend their lead to 33 at 62-29 with 3:00 left in the stanza before the Bobcats made a little run. A three-pointer by Maddy McPhillips (Omaha) started things off for the 'Cats. Near the end of the quarter, a trey by Destany Ross (Gretna) and one of two free throws by Deja Cato (Pontiac, Mich.) cut the deficit to 27 at 65-38 with ten minutes remaining.
 
Fourth Quarter Action

 
Graceland would again lead by more than 30 with 5:15 left at 75-44 and then later by 30 at 82-52 before Peru State would score the final nine points. Stevie Lone Dog (Mission, S.D.) hit a bucket on an assist from McPhillips which was followed by another trey by McPhillips to cut the lead to 25. McPhillips would follow with a two-pointer and with 20 seconds left in the game, Kennedi Cooper (Long Beach, Calif.) hit a field goal for the final 82-61 score.

GRACELAND BOX SCORE
 
Team Statistics
 
The Yellowjackets were hot as they made 45.5% of their field goals connecting on 30 of 66 from the floor. This included making 7 of 15 from long range for 41.2%. At the charity stripe, Graceland made 15 of 24 for 62.5%. Peru State made 24 of 72 field goal attempts for 33.3% and were cold from long range making only 6 of 33 for 18.2%. The 'Cats struggled at the free throw line making just 7 of 18 for 38.9%.
 
Peru State did outrebound the 'Jackets 51-44. Graceland dished out 15 assists compared to ten for the 'Cats. The Bobcats did have more turnovers 23, compared to 18 for the Yellowjackets. The Bobcats had one blocked shot and seven steals while Graceland finished with ten steals.
 
Individual Statistics
 
McPhillips led the team with a season-high 14 points while Williams finished with ten.
 
Lone Dog grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds with Brooke Maeda (Honolulu) adding seven. Kiley Guerue (Morrill) and Williams each added six.
 

Maeda dished out five assists while Cato handed out two. Abigail Niebrugge (Omaha) was credited with a blocked shot. Niebrugge, Robles, and Cato each had two steals.
 
Upcoming Games
 
The Bobcats have four games within the next the next ten days. On Saturday, Jan. 7, the 'Cats will be hosting Baker University at 2 p.m. The Wildcats are 10-3 overall and 8-1 in the Heart coming off a win last night over Evangel (Mo.).
 
Then, on Monday, the Bobcats will travel to face another ranked team as they head to Fayette, Mo., to face Central Methodist at 5:30 p.m. The Eagles are 11-2 overall and 7-2 in conference play.
 
On Thursday, Jan. 12, Peru State will be in Kansas City, Mo., to face Avila at 5:30 p.m. Presently, the Eagles are 2-9 overall and 1-8 in the Heart having won their first game Wednesday night over Grand View (Iowa).
 
Finally, on Saturday, Jan. 14, the Bobcats will be back home hosting Mount Mercy (Iowa) at noon. The Mustangs are currently 7-6 overall and 4-5 in Heart action.