(Peru, Neb.) – The Grand View (Iowa) Vikings women's basketball team had a big second quarter and it proved to be enough as they topped Peru State 79-50 Saturday afternoon in Peru.
 
With the win, the Vikings improved to 10-6 overall and 3-2 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) North Division. Peru State fell to 3-9 on the season and are winless in Heart North play and are 0-5.

 
First Quarter Action
 
Swaranga Fernando (Colombo, Sri Lanka) hit the first bucket of the game to give the 'Cats their only lead of the contest. Grand View scored the next eight points and never trailed after that point. The Vikings led by as many as 11 at 19-8 with 2:34 left in the quarter before Beth Hall (Graceville, Fla.) hit a trey on an assist from Kealy Ensminger (Homer) to cut it to 19-11. After Grand View made one of two free throws, Ensminger made a pair of free throws and the 'Cats trailed just by seven at the end of the first quarter at 20-13.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
The Vikings outscored the Bobcats 26-8 in the second stanza and led 46-21 at halftime.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Peru State did win the third quarter as they outscored Grand View 20-16. With 3:46 left in the quarter, Ensminger hit a pair of free throws to pull the 'Cats within 16 at 49-33. That would be as close as the Bobcats would get as Grand View led 62-41 after 30 minutes.
 
Fourth Quarter Action

 
The short-handed Bobcats were outscored 17-9 in the final stanza as Grand went on for the 79-50 win.

GRAND VIEW GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
The Vikings were hot from the floor as they made 32 of 65 field goals for 49.2% which included making 9 of 24 from long range for 37.5%. Grand View made half of their 12 free throws for 50%. Peru State shot better than in their previous contest, but still missed some inside shots. The 'Cats made 17 of 59 field goals for 28.8%, but were cool from long range hitting just 5 of 26 from behind the arc for 19.2%. The Bobcats made 11 of 19 free throws of 57.9%.
 
Despite their big height advantage, the Vikings only had seven more rebounds than Peru State as they grabbed 41. Grand View dished out 21 assists compared to just ten for the 'Cats.
 
Both teams struggled handling the ball as the Vikings had 15 turnovers while Peru State had 23. Grand View blocked six shots while the Bobcats blocked two. The Vikings finished with 13 steals while Peru State had seven.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Three Bobcats finished in double figures as they were led by Fernando and Lauren Beath (Bakersfield, Calif.) who both finished with 13 points. Ensminger also was in double figures as she added 11.
 
Fernando finished with a double-double as she grabbed a game-high ten rebounds. Abigail Niebrugge (Omaha) added seven rebounds while Brooke Maeda (Honolulu) snagged six boards.
 
Maeda dished out a game-high six assists. Fernando and Niebrugge were each credited with a block. Maeda tied for game-high honors with three steals while Niebrugge added two.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
The Bobcats will host Haskell Indian Nations University Monday night at 5:30 p.m. The Fighting Indians are 6-15 on the season having won their last two games of the season.
 
On Wednesday night, the 'Cats travel to Lamoni, Iowa, to take on Graceland University at 5:30 p.m. The Yellowjackets are 4-9 on the season and have lost their last four games. Graceland is 1-4 in the Heart North.
 
Peru State will host Mount Mercy (Iowa) on Jan. 13 beginning at noon. The Mustangs are 3-13 on the year and are also winless at 0-5 in the Heart North.
 
January 13 is the Foundation's Alumni Basketball Reunion for both the women's and men's teams.