(Peru, Neb.) – It will be a long night for any team when the opponents shoot nearly 60% and your team shoots just 22%. That was the case Wednesday night for the Peru State women as Missouri Valley defeated the 'Cats 98-41 in Marshall, Mo.
 
It was the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) opener for both teams. The Vikings improved to 6-1 overall and 1-0 in the Heart. Peru State fell to 3-5 on the season and 0-1 in conference action.
 
First Quarter Action
 
The Vikings scored the first five points of the game and never trailed in the contest. Lauren Beath (Bakersfield, Calif.) hit a trey on an assist from Destany Ross (Gretna) to make it 5-3 with 8:32 left in the quarter. But, that would be as close as the 'Cats would be as Mo Valley led 29-11 after one quarter.

 
Second Quarter Action
 
Missouri Valley would outscore the Bobcats 22-7 in the second quarter and led 51-18 at halftime.

Third Quarter Action
 
In the third stanza, the Vikings would add another 25 points while Peru State managed to put 11 on the board. Missouri Valley led 76-29 after 30 minutes.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
The Vikings would put another 22 points on the scoreboard while the Bobcats added 12.

MISSOURI VALLEY GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Mo Valley made 41 of 71 field goals for 57.7% which included making ten of 22 from behind the arc for 45.5%. The Vikings also made six of seven free throws for 85.7%. Peru State made just 12 of 54 field goal tries for 22.2% which included connecting on just five of 28 for 17.9%. At the charity stripe, the 'Cats made 12 of 18 for 66.7%.
 
The much-taller Vikings nearly doubled up the rebounding totals as they finished with 48 while Peru State had 26. Mo Valley dished out 31 assists while the Bobcats only managed to have eight.

 
The 'Cats did have an uncharacteristically high 19 turnovers while the Vikings committed 15. The Bobcats blocked three shots while Mo Valley doubled the number. Peru State had six steals compared to 15 for Missouri Valley.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Beath led the Bobcats with 11 points while Abigail Niebrugge (Omaha) added ten points. Maddy McPhillips (Omaha) finished with nine points while Ross contributed six. Brooke Maeda (Honolulu) had the final five points.
 
Niebrugge nearly had a double-double as she grabbed nine boards while Beath finished with five.
 
Maeda dished out four assists with Ross handing out two. Niebrugge blocked three shots. Ross and Maeda were each credited with two steals.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
Peru State will host its first Heart home game Saturday at 2 p.m. The William Penn (Iowa) Statesmen will come to the AWAC. The Statesmen are 7-3 on the season and won their conference opener Wednesday night over Mount Mercy (Iowa).
 
On Saturday, Dec. 9, the Bobcats will head to Atchison, Kan., to take on Benedictine at 2 p.m. The Ravens are 7-2 overall and lost their Heart opener on the road to MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.).