(Peru, Neb.) – Despite having a different look in the lineup than in most of 2017, the revamped Peru State roster fell to one of the top teams currently in the NAIA Wednesday night. MidAmerica Nazarene (MNU) toppled the Bobcats 90-48 in Olathe, Kan., to improve to 12-1 on the season.
 
The Pioneers are also 4-0 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) with the win. Peru State fell to 3-8 overall and are winless in the Heart at 0-4.
 
First Quarter Action

 
After MNU scored the first bucket, Bobcat newcomer Swaranga Fernando (Colombo, Sri Lanka) hit a two-pointer in the paint off an assist from Brooke Maeda (Honolulu) to tie it. That would be the only time the 'Cats would be tied in the contest as the Pioneers rattled off 12 straight points before Abigail Neibrugge (Omaha) hit a bucket at the 5:12 mark in the first quarter. Beth Hall (Graceville, Fla.) would make one of two free throws to cut the lead to eight at 14-6. After that point, MidAmerica Nazarene would score 16 unanswered points before Maddy McPhillips (Omaha) would make one of two free throws. The first quarter would end with MNU leading 32-7.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Peru State would outscore the Pioneers in the second quarter 15-13. McPhillips started the quarter with a trey and Hall would finish the quarter with a pair of free throws. MNU lead 45-22 at halftime.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
The Pioneers would outscore the 'Cats 24-15 in the third stanza. After they scored the first four points, Niebrugge would get the first points of the quarter for Peru State. Niebrugge would also score the last three Bobcat points of the period as MNU led 69-37 at the end of 30 minutes.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
MNU would score the first 11 points of the fourth quarter before Kealy Ensminger (Homer) would drain a three-pointer to make it 80-40 with 5:44 left in the contest. Claire Cudney (Maryville, Kan.) would score the final two points of the game on a pair of free throws for the 'Cats.

MIDAMERICA NAZARENE GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 

MNU shot well from the floor while the Bobcats shot slightly better than the temperature outside on Wednesday. The Pioneers made 33 of 77 field goals for 42.9% which included making 9 of 23 three-pointers for 39.1%. From the free throw line, MidAmerica Nazarene hit 15 of 21 for 71.4%. Peru State made just 12 of 55 for 21.8% from the floor and hit just 2 of 14 from long range for 14.3%. At the charity stripe, the 'Cats made 22 of 33 for 66.7%.
 
The Pioneers had a huge rebounding edge as they grabbed 60 boards compared to 38 for the Bobcats. MNU had five times more assists as they finished with 30 while the 'Cats had six. The turnovers were nearly even as the Bobcat committed 15 while the Pioneers had 12.
 
MidAmerica Nazarene blocked six shots while the Bobcats had two. MNU had seven steals while the 'Cats had five.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Eight of nine Bobcats playing in the contest scored and were led by McPhillips who scored 15 points on 5 of 10 shooting. Niebrugge was one shy of double figures as she finished with nine. Cudney and Emily Meyer (Sabetha, Kan.) each finished with six points.
 
Fernando led the team with six rebounds while Maeda and Niebrugge each added five. Maeda dished out four assists.
 
Cudney and Lauren Beath (Bakersfield, Calif.) each blocked one shot. Niebrugge led the team with two steals.
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will be back in Heart action on Saturday when they host Grand View (Iowa) at 2 p.m. The Vikings are presently 9-6 on the season having won five in a row and are 2-2 in conference play as they topped Mount Mercy 75-73 Wednesday night.
 
Then, on Monday night, the Bobcats will be hosting Haskell Indian Nations University in its final non-conference game of the season at 5:30 p.m. The former conference opponent is 6-15 on the year and have won their last two in a row.