(Peru, Neb.) – It was close through three quarters, but the Bethany (Kan.) Swedes pulled away in the fourth quarter to top the Peru State Bobcats 70-57 in the York College Classic on Saturday. The 'Cats had defeated Bethany in their first game of the season so the Swedes got their revenge.
 
The Bobcats are now 2-3 while the Swedes evened their record at 3-3 for the year.
 
First Quarter Action
 
Bethany scored first by making a free throw before Jackie Beaugard (Omaha) made a pair of free throws to give the 'Cats a 2-1 lead. The Swedes countered with a trey before Brooke Maeda (Honolulu) made one of two free throws to make it 4-3 Bethany. Lauren Beath (Bakersfield, Calif.) hit a bucket off an assist from Beaugard to put the 'Cats back on top 5-4.

 
After Bethany hit a bucket to regain the lead, Abigail Niebrugge (Omaha) hit a two-pointer and later Beaugard would follow with a trey to put Peru State up 10-6 with 5:19 left in the quarter.
 
Bethany would eventually tie it at 10-10 before Maddy McPhillips (Omaha) hit a bucket and then Niebrugge nailed a trey to make it 15-10. That would be the final scoring in the first quarter.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Peru State maintained the lead into the second quarter until Bethany would the lead at 23-22 with 5:27 left in the first half. Beath would get a bucket on an assist from McPhillips and the Bobcats would extend their lead to 35-28 when Maeda hit a trey with 1:12 left in the half. A three-pointer by Bethany with 13 seconds on the clock would make it 35-31 at halftime.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Peru State would score the first six points of the second half on back-to-back buckets by Beaugard and then a pair of free throws by Niebrugge. With 8:09 left in the quarter, the 'Cats led 41-31.
 
Bethany would go on a 15-5 scoring run to tie the game at 46-46 with two minutes left in the stanza. Beaugard broke the tie and then McPhillips made one of two free throw to extend the lead to 49-46. The Swedes would hit a pair of free throws to pull within one at 49-48 at the end of the quarter.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
The Swedes would score the first seven points of the fourth quarter and never trailed the rest of the way. Bethany outscored the Bobcats 22-8 to win 70-57.

BETHANY GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 

Peru State shot a little better than on Friday, but still below their first three games. The Bobcats made 18 of 54 field goals for 33.3% and hit six of 20 three-point attempts for 30%. The 'Cats did shoot well from the free throw line as they made 15 of 20 for 75%. Bethany made 25 of 57 field goals for 43.9% including hitting 9 of 19 from long range for 47.4%. The Swedes made 11 of 20 charity tries for 55%.
 
The Swedes had a big rebounding edge at 46-31. The 'Cats had 15 assists compared to 13 for Bethany. The Swedes had 14 turnovers while Peru State committed 12. The Bobcats blocked one shot while the Swedes had two. Bethany finished with eight steals compared to four for the 'Cats.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Three Bobcats finished in double figures and were led by Beaugard with 16 points while Niebrugge added 11. Maeda contributed ten points.
 
Beaugard also led the team with seven rebounds while McPhillips added six. Niebrugge grabbed five boards.
 
Beaugard also dished out a team-high five assists while McPhillips added three. Maeda and Niebrugge each dished out two.
 
The Bobcats' blocked shot was attributed to Beaugard. Niebrugge led the team with two steals.
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will host Bellevue next Friday night at 5:30 p.m. The Bruins are 5-3 on the year and will play another game before heading to the AWAC.
 
On Saturday, the 'Cats will head to Springfield, Mo., to take on NCAA DII Lincoln University. They are 1-1 on the year and will play two games before the Bobcats head to town.