(Peru, Neb.) – After falling behind by 11 points at the end of the first quarter, the Peru State women's basketball team played the rest of the game even in Dubuque, Iowa, Wednesday night. The Bobcats eventually fell to Clarke 70-59 after trailing 21-10 at the end of the first ten minutes.
 
The Pride improved to 13-7 on the year and 5-5 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) North. The 'Cats fell to 3-15 on the season are 0-10 in the Heart North.
 
First Quarter Action
 
Clarke scored the first five points before Abigail Niebrugge (Omaha) hit a bucket to put the Bobcats on the board. The Pride would then score the next eight points to lead 13-2 before Claire Cudney (Marysville, Kan.) hit a pair of free throws at the 5:26. At the end of the period Niebrugge ended the period with a pair of free throws.

 
Second Quarter Action
 
Niebrugge started the second quarter with a trey off an assist from Brooke Maeda (Honolulu) at the 9:29 mark to make it 21-13. Clarke scored the next six points to increase the lead to 14. Niebrugge hit a layup on an assist by Lauren Beath (Bakersfield, Calif.). With 6:19 left in the quarter, Maeda hit a trey off an assist from Beath to cut the lead to single digits at 27-18. At the end of the period, Cudney pulled the Bobcats back within nine at 36-27 at halftime with a pair of free throws.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
After the Pride led by double digits most of the third, Peru State fought back to pull within five at the 4:03 mark when Swaranga Fernando (Colombo, Sri Lanka) completed an old-fashioned three-point play to make it 43-38. However, Clarke outscored the 'Cats 12-5 to end the quarter leading 55-43.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
Clarke increased their lead to as many as 15 on a couple of occasions in the fourth quarter and led 66-51 with five minutes left in the game. Beth Hall (Graceville, Fla.) made one of two free throws and then hit a jumper to make it 68-56. Maeda would add a three-pointer near the end to make it 68-59 before the Pride hit the final bucket.
 
CLARKE BOX SCORE

Team Statistics
 
For the first time in many games, Peru State actually shot the ball better than their opponents. The Bobcats made 23 of 57 field goals for 40.4% including making 4 of 13 from long range for 30.8%. From the free throw line, the 'Cats made 9 of 12 for 75%. Clarke connected on 26 of 69 for 37.7% including 4 of 20 from behind the arc for 20%. The Pride made 14 of 22 for 63.6%.

 
Clarke held a rebounding edge as they grabbed 41 boards compared to 32 for Peru State. The Pride also dished out more assists than the 'Cats as they had 15 and the Bobcats had nine.
 
Peru State struggled handling the ball as they finished with 19 turnovers while Clarke had 11. The Pride blocked five shots while the Bobcats had one. The Pride also had 11 steals compared to five for the Bobcats.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Niebrugge and Maeda finished in double figures for Peru State. Niebrugge had a game-high 23 points while Maeda added 13.
 
Cudney led the team with nine rebounds with Jakia Vaughn-Taylor (Omaha) adding six. Maeda dished out five assists with Beath handing out two.
 
Fernando was credited with the lone block for the Bobcats. Cudney and Maeda each finished with two steals.
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will be on the road again this Saturday when they make another Iowa trip, although a much shorter one. The Bobcats will be in Des Moines when they will face Grand View at 2 p.m. The Vikings are 12-9 overall and are 5-5 in the Heart North having defeated Graceland (Iowa) last night on the road.
 
Next week, Peru State will have two home games. On Wednesday, they will host Avila (Mo.) at 5:30 p.m. in what will be Auburn night. The Eagles are 6-8 overall and are 5-5 in the Heart South. Different student groups from Auburn High School, as well as Calvert Elementary, will be recognized between the women's and men's game. The Auburn High School cheerleaders will perform their state routine at halftime of the men's game at approximately 8:30 p.m.
 
Then, on Saturday, Feb. 3, Culver-Stockton (Mo.) will be the opponent on the day of the National Alumni Association Chili Feed. The Wildcats are 8-11 on the year and are 3-7 in the Heart South having lost their last two contests.