(Peru, Neb.) – A team's chances to gain a victory in a winnable contest when shooting less than 30% can spell trouble. This was the case Wednesday night when the Avila (Mo.) Eagles women's basketball team defeated Peru State 69-62 in the Al Wheeler Activity Center.
 
The 'Cats shot just 29.6% while the Eagles made over 45% of their field goals as Avila improved to 9-19 overall and 8-17 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). Peru State lost its fourth contest in a row and fell to 7-21 on the year and 5-20 in the Heart.

 
First Quarter Action
 
Deandra Williams (Rosenberg, Texas) started the scoring in the game with a bucket in the paint off an assist from Kiley Guerue (Morrill). The Eagles would score the next four points before Brooke Maeda (Honolulu) tied it at 4-4 with 6:40 to go. Peru State would increase its lead to five at 9-4 with Maddy McPhillips (Omaha) hitting a trey. This would be the largest lead the 'Cats would have in the game. The game would later be tied at 12-12 before Avila would outscore Peru State 7-4 to lead 19-16 at the end of one period.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Peru State would find themselves down 26-20 with 7:38 to go in the second ten minutes before Maeda would get a three off an assist from McPhillips. Later, Destany Ross (Gretna) would be fouled on a three-point attempt and hit all three free throws to tie the game at 26-26 at the 5:57 mark. The teams would basically trade points the rest of the quarter with the game being tied at 32-32 and 34-34 before Avila would lead 40-39 at halftime.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Guerue would nail a trey to start the second half with an assist from Maeda to put the 'Cats on top at 42-40. Again, it was another tight quarter with the game being tied four times in the period before the Eagles would lead 54-52 after 30 minutes.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
The teams would battle through the first part of the final quarter with the Bobcats leading 58-57 after Kennedi Cooper (Long Beach, Calif.) hit a bucket in the paint off a fast break. The Eagles would regain the lead on their next possession and never trailed the rest of the way on their way to the 69-62 victory.

AVILA GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics

 
As noted earlier, Avila made 25 of 55 field goals for 45.5%, primarily all on inside shots or shot jumpers as they did not make any of their four three-point tries. At the charity stripe, the Eagles made 19 of 32 for 59.4%. The 'Cats made 21 of 71 field goals for 29.6% which included hitting 7 of 26 from long range. Peru State was 13 of 18 from the free throw line for 72.2%.
 
The rebounding was pretty even, despite Avila's height advantage as the Eagles grabbed 39 boards compared to 36 for Peru State. The assists were nearly even as well with Avila dishing out 13 while the Bobcats had 12.
 
The Eagles committed 22 turnovers while Peru State had 20. Avila blocked eight shots while the 'Cats had one block. Peru State grabbed 12 steals compared to ten for Avila.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Three Bobcats finished in double figures with Williams leading the way with 17 points. Maeda and McPhillips each finished with ten points. All 11 Bobcats suited up were in the scoring column.
 
Williams also led the team with seven rebounds while McPhillips and Stevie Lone Dog (Mission, S.D.) each adding six. Jackie Beaugard (Omaha) dished out three assists while Maeda and McPhillips each handed out two.
 
Maeda, the shortest player on the court, was credited with Peru State's lone blocked shot. She also led the team with four steals while Williams nabbed two.
 
Final 2016-17 Game
 
As Peru State is out of the playoff picture, the Bobcats will play their final game of the 2016-17 campaign on Saturday. The Bobcats will travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to face Mount Mercy in a game scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. The Mustangs are 12-17 on the year and are 9-16 in conference action. This is a must game for Mount Mercy to assure them of a playoff spot as they are presently tied for ninth with ten teams making the post-season tournament.