(Peru, Neb.) – Yes, there are only six players on the squad. Yes, no one is taller than 5-10 (if that). But, if you watched them play Tuesday night, you will know to not count the Peru State women's basketball team out of it before a game starts.
 
The Bobcat women came from as many as seven down in the third quarter to eventually take the lead with 4:12 left in the game to get a 75-73 win over the visiting Bethany (Kan.) Swedes.
 
Peru State is 1-0 while the Swedes fell to 1-2 on the season. 

 
First Quarter Action
 
Back-to-back baskets by Abigail Niebrugge (Omaha) gave Peru State a 4-0 lead to start the contest. Neither team led by more than four in the period with the quarter ending at 18-16 in favor of Peru State after Niebrugge hit a bucket with one second remaining.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
A three-point bucket by Destany Ross (Gretna) on an assist from Maddy McPhillips (Omaha) started things off for Peru State in the second quarter giving the 'Cats their largest lead to that point at 21-16.
 
Bethany would go on a 7-2 run to take at 25-23 lead before Jackie Beaugard (Omaha) hit a pair of free throws to knot it at 25-25.
 
Peru State would eventually lead again by four at 35-31 after Lauren Beath (Bakersfield, Calif.) hit a bucket in the paint with 1:59 remaining in the half.
 
The Swedes would cut the lead to one at 35-34 after the first 20 minutes.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
The Swedes outscore the Bobcats 18-10 over the first seven minutes of the quarter to have their largest lead of the game at 52-45.
 
Peru State would slowly cut into that lead and eventually go back on top after Niebrugge hit a bucket on an assist from McPhillips with 50 seconds left making it 53-52.
 
Bethany would make a pair of free throws to take a 54-53 lead at the end of the third quarter.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
The Swedes made a bucket to start the fourth to go up by three. McPhillips would complete an old-fashioned three-point play to tie it at 56-56 with 7:54 remaining in the game.
 
The contest would again be tied at 59-59 and 62-62 before Brooke Maeda (Honolulu) would hit a bucket off an assist from McPhillips to put the Bobcats in the lead for good with 4:12 left. Ross hit a trey off an assist from Maeda to increase the lead to 67-52 and then McPhillips hit a bucket in the paint to put the 'Cats on top 69-62 with 2:37 remaining.
 
But, the Swedes would not go away after having played three previous contests (one of which was an exhibition). With 53 seconds remaining, Bethany pulled within three at 71-68, but Maeda hit a pair of free throws to put back to a five-point advantage at 73-68 with 25 seconds left.

 
Bethany would drain a trey to pull back within two and then fouled after a timeout by Peru State. Niebrugge hit the bonus free throws and the 'Cats led 75-71 with 11 seconds remaining. The Swedes would add another bucket, but the Bobcats held on for the two-point win.

BETHANY GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Bethany had a slightly-better shooting percentage as they made 24 of 58 for 41.4% which included making 10 of 26 from long range for 38.5%. At the free throw line, the Swedes made 15 of 23 for 65.2%. Peru State made 23 of 60 field goal attempts for 38.3% and hit eight of 26 three-point tries for 30.8%. The Bobcats made it count from the free throw line as they hit 21 of 27 for 77.8%.
 
The taller Swedes did have a big rebounding advantage which will likely be the case in most games for the Bobcats this year. Bethany grabbed 43 boards while Peru State had 25. Bethany dished out 18 assists compared to 12 for the Bobcats.
 
But, the 'Cats handled the ball much better and only had ten turnovers while forcing 20 Bethany miscues. The Bobcats blocked one shot and had 11 steals while the Swedes had three steals.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Four Bobcats finished in double figures and were led by Niebrugge who finished with a game-high 23 points on eight of 15 shooting from the floor. Beaugard added 16 points while McPhillips added 15. Ross finished with 11 points.
 
Beaugard almost had a double-double as she grabbed a team-high nine rebounds. Beath and Niebrugge each added five boards.
 
McPhillips dished out a team-high four assists with Ross handing off three. Beath was credited with the lone blocked shot of the game.
 
Niebrugge grabbed a game-high five steals while Beaugard nabbed three and Ross two.
 
Upcoming Games
 
The Bobcats will travel to Omaha Friday night to take on the College of St. Mary Flames at 6 p.m. The Flames have dropped all three of their contests so far this season.
 
Next Tuesday, the 'Cats travel to Yankton, S.D., to face Mount Marty. The Lancers open this Saturday night before playing the Bobcats.