(Peru, Neb.) – The Peru State women's basketball team continues to improve upon their shooting performances. But, it was not enough Saturday afternoon in the AWAC as the Bobcats fell to the visiting Evangel (Mo.) Crusaders 75-50.
 
With the win, the Crusaders improved to 3-15 on the year and 2-7 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) South Division. Peru State fell to 3-14 overall and are still looking for their first conference win against nine losses.
 
First Quarter Action
 
The Crusaders scored early on a trey before Beth Hall (Graceville, Fla.) hit off an offensive rebound. Evangel would score the next five points to lead 7-2 with 7:24 left in the quarter. Lauren Beath (Bakersfield, Calif.) would start a Bobcat scoring run as she scored two consecutive buckets with the second one coming off an assist from Swaranga Fernando (Colombo, Sri Lanka). Hall would later put back an offensive rebound and the 'Cats would lead for their only time in the game at 8-7 with 3:49 left in the first stanza. Evangel would outscore the Bobcats 10-4 to take a 17-12 lead in the second frame.

 
Second Quarter Action
 
With 5:32 in the second period, the Crusaders had extended their lead to 12 at 25-13. A bucket by Fernando on an assist from Claire Cudney (Marysville, Kan.) would cut the lead to ten. Later, Beath would hit a trey on an assist from Fernando and the Bobcats were back within seven at 25-18 at the 4:36 mark. Evangel would eventually extend their lead to 13 at halftime as they led 35-22.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Evangel would have their first 20-point-plus lead at 48-27 with 6:22 on the clock in the third quarter. A bucket by Cudney off the fast break, followed by one from Hall, cut the lead to 48-31 with 5:01 left. The Crusaders would outscore the 'Cats by one the rest of the way in the quarter and led 56-38 after 30 minutes.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
The Crusaders would add to their lead early in the last quarter and led by 33 at 73-40 before Jakia Vaughn-Taylor (Omaha) would get a bucket in the paint off an assist from Cudney. Cudney would follow with a pair of free throws and a bucket to cut the lead to 73-46. Alex Kenney (Milford) would make one of two free throws before Evangel sopped the run with a pair of free throws. Cudney would finish the game's scoring with an old-fashioned three-point play.

EVANGEL GAME BOOK

Team Statistics
 
Evangel made 25 of 74 field goal attempts for 33.8% which included making 5 of 15 from behind the arc for 33.3%. The Crusaders were hot from the free throw line as they made 20 of 24 for 83.3%. Peru State did shoot better than they have in some time as they made 21 of 61 field goals for 34.4%, but struggled from long range making just 2 of 15 for 13.3%. The 'Cats made 6 of 10 free throws for 60%.
 

The Crusaders had a slight rebounding edge as they had 42 boards compared to 36 for the Bobcats. Evangel dished out 22 assists while the 'Cats finished with eight.
 
Turnovers hurt the Bobcats in the contest as they finished with 18 which Evangel turned into 20 points. The Crusaders finished with just four turnovers.
 
Evangel blocked two shots and had 12 steals. Peru State finished with just two steals.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Cudney and Beath both finished in double figures to lead Peru State as they score 17 and 14 respectively. All Bobcats suited for the game scored in the contest. Fernando and Hall each added six points.
 
Fernando and Cudney both grabbed eight rebounds while Hall added seven. Cudney led the team with three assists while Fernando added two. Cudney was also credited with two steals.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
Peru State will be on the road for its next two games. On Wednesday, they will be in Dubuque, Iowa, to face Clarke at 5:30 p.m. The Pride are 12-7 on the year and are 4-5 in the Heart North, having lost their last two contests.
 
On Saturday, Jan. 27, the 'Cats will be back in Iowa, this time in Des Moines to face Grand View at 2 p.m. The Vikings are 11-9 presently and are 4-5 in the Heart North, as like the Pride, have lost their last two games.
 
The Bobcats will be back home on Wednesday, Jan. 31, when they host Avila (Mo.) at 5:30 p.m. It will be Auburn night in the Al Wheeler Activity Center as the Student Athlete Advisory Council and the athletic department will recognize several outstanding groups from the Auburn Public Schools.