(Peru, Neb.) – A strong first quarter by the visiting Baker (Kan.) Wildcats propelled the 14
th-ranked team to an 83-64 win over the Peru State women's basketball team on Saturday.
With the win, Baker improved to 11-3 overall and 9-1 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). With the loss, the Bobcats fell to 4-9 overall and 2-8 in the Heart.
First Quarter Action
Deandra Williams hits two of her team-high 15
points late in the game
The Wildcats scored the first bucket of the game, but the Bobcats came back with a basket by
Maddy McPhillips (Omaha) off an assist from
Stevie Lone Dog (Mission, S.D.) with 9:15 to go in the quarter. Baker would get another bucket to go up 4-2 before
Abigail Niebrugge (Omaha) drained a trey to give the Bobcats a 5-4 lead. With 7:31 left in the period, Lone Dog scored a bucket in the paint to make it 7-4 giving Peru State its largest lead of the game. The Wildcats would score the next 13 points and never trailed after that point. At the end of the first stanza, it was Baker 24-14.
Second Quarter Action
Niebrugge would get a bucket in the paint off an assist from
Deja Cato (Pontiac, Mich.) to cut the deficit to eight at 24-16. The teams would trade buckets and the Bobcats would still be within nine at 33-24 after Lone Dog hit a bucket in the paint with 5:38 left in the quarter. Baker would eventually lead by 13 at halftime at 46-33.
Third Quarter Action
The Bobcats would be within 11 at 54-43 in the third quarter after Cato hit a bucket in the paint. But, once again, Baker would jump ahead only to force Peru State to fight back. At the end of the third stanza, the Wildcats led 64-52.
Fourth Quarter Action
Peru State was within 11 at 66-55 after
Jackie Robles (Parlier, Calif.) hit a three-pointer off an assist from Lone Dog. But, that would be the closest the Bobcats would be the rest of the contest.
BAKER GAME BOX
Team Statistics
Baker was hot in the contest as they hit 34 of 67 attempts for 50.7% from the floor which included making 5 of 14 from long range for 35.7%. At the free throw line, the Wildcats made 10 of 14 attempts for 71.4%. Peru State made 21 of 57 field goals for 36.8% while hitting 4 of 17 from behind the arc for 23.5%. At the charity stripe, the Bobcats made 18 of 21 for 85.7%.
The Bobcats actually outrebounded the taller Wildcats 34-30, but had more turnovers 16 to 9 for Baker. The Wildcats dished out 15 assists compared to nine for Peru State.
Stevie Lone Dog, playing in just her third contest, finished with a
double-double - 14 points and 16 rebounds.
Baker blocked four shots and had five steals while the Bobcats blocked three shots and also had five steals.
Individual Statistics
Two Bobcats finished in double figures and were led by
Deandra Williams (Rosenberg, Texas) with 15 points. Lone Dog added a season-high 14 points while McPhillips and Robles each added eight points.
Lone Dog had a season- and game-high 16 rebounds to finish with a double-double. Williams grabbed seven boards for the Bobcats.
Lone Dog dished out three assists while
Brooke Maeda (Honolulu) and Cato each handed out two assists. Williams blocked two shots while Lone Dog added one block. Niebrugge led the team with two steals.
Upcoming Games
Peru State will play three Heart contests this starting Monday night in Fayette, Mo., where they will take on #16 Central Methodist. The Eagles are 12-2 overall and are 8-2 in the Heart having won seven games in row. The match-up is to start at 5:30 p.m.
On Thursday night, the Bobcats will be in Kansas City, Mo., to take on Avila at 5:30 p.m. The Eagles are 2-10 overall and 1-9 in conference play.
The 'Cats will be back at home on Saturday when they host league newcomers Mount Mercy at noon (please note this is a change of time from calendars and schedule cards). The Mustangs are 7-7 overall and 4-6 in the Heart.
