(Peru, Neb.) – Peru State's women's basketball team had the eighth-ranked Baker Wildcats on the ropes Saturday through three quarters in Baldwin City, Kan. However, the Wildcats took control in the fourth quarter to win 97-77 while getting their tenth-straight victory.
 
Baker improved to 24-4 overall and 22-2 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). The Bobcats fell to 7-20 on the season and 5-19 in the Heart. With the scores in the conference on Saturday, Peru State has been eliminated from potential post-season play.
 
First Quarter Action
 
After Baker scored the opening bucket, Deandra Williams (Rosenberg, Texas) hit a bucket in the paint off an assist from Brooke Maeda (Honolulu) to tie it with 8:26 left in the quarter. After the Wildcats would get the next bucket, Williams again scored in the paint, this time off an assist from Jackie Beaugard (Omaha) to knot it at 4-4. The Wildcats would eventually lead by as many as eight at 22-14 with 1:50 left before Peru State would get a three-pointer by Maddy McPhillips (Omaha) on an assist from Beaugard to cut the deficit to five. Kyle Johnson (Honolulu) would hit a pair of free throws for the only other scoring in the quarter to make it 22-19 in Baker's favor.

 
Second Quarter Action
 
Baker would again score the first points of the second quarter with McPhillips hitting a trey to cut the lead to two at 24-22 with 9:21 left in the stanza. The Wildcats would increase their lead to as many as 14 late in the quarter with 44 seconds left in the half before Abigail Niebrugge (Omaha) would nail a trey. The Wildcats would get another hoop before the half would end with Baker leading 46-33.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
As they have on many occasions, Peru State would make a comeback. With 8:23 left in the third period, Kiley Guerue (Morrill) would hit a three to pull the 'Cats within five at 46-41. But, Baker would extend the lead to as many as 12 at 64-52 with 1:55 left in the stanza before Peru State would fight back again. Back-to-back baskets by Williams pulled the Bobcats within eight at 64-56. After Maeda grabbed a defensive rebound, Guerue would hit another trey to pull Peru State back within five at 64-59 at the end of the quarter.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
The late rally at the end of the third was as close as Peru State would get as Baker pulled away from the Bobcats in route to the 20-point win.

BAKER GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Both teams shot the ball well, but Baker shot it better as they made 38 of 68 field goals for 55.9% which included making 7 of 19 three-pointers for 36.8%. The Wildcats connected on 14 of 17 free throws for 82.4%. Peru State hit 27 of 63 field goals for 42.9% and were even better from long range making 12 of 22 for 54.5%. At the charity stripe, the Bobcats made 11 of 14 for 78.6%.

 
Baker held a rebounding edge at 42-28. The Wildcats dished out 15 assists while Peru State had nine. Both teams played a pretty clean ball game as Baker finished with ten turnovers while the Bobcats had a season-low nine. Peru State blocked four shots while the Wildcats had two. Both teams were credited with six steals.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Williams finished with a season- and game-high 25 points on 12 of 21 shooting. Guerue added 17 points while Niebrugge finished with ten.
 
Williams was also the team's leading rebounder as she grabbed six boards while Niebrugge finished the game with five.
 
Beaugard dished out four assists while Maeda added two. Beaugard, Maeda, Niebrugge, and Johnson each blocked one shot. Beaugard also led the team with two steals.
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will play two more games this season. On Wednesday, Feb. 22, the Bobcats will host their final home game with Avila (Mo.) visiting the Al Wheeler Activity Center at 5:30 p.m. The Eagles are 8-19 overall and are 7-17 in the Heart.
 
The Bobcats' final game of 2016-17 will be next Saturday, Feb. 25, when they travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to face Mount Mercy. The Mustangs are presently 12-16 on the year and are 9-15 in conference play.