(Peru, Neb.) – The visiting Fighting Indians from Haskell Indian Nations (Kan.) (HINU) found their shooting touch Monday night in a win over the Peru State women. After making over half of their field goals, Haskell topped the Bobcats 84-63 in a non-conference game.
 
With the win, HINU improved to 7-15 on the season. The 'Cats fell to 3-10.
 
First Quarter Action
 
A trey by Abigail Niebrugge (Omaha) off an assist from Swaranga Fernando (Colombo, Sri Lanka) opened the scoring for the Bobcats at the 9:12 mark in the first quarter. The

Fighting Indians would go on an 8-0 run to lead 8-3 before Brooke Maeda (Honolulu) hit a trey off an assist from Lauren Beath (Bakersfield, Calif.). On Peru State's next possession, Kealy Ensminger (Homer) made one of two free throws and the 'Cats were back within one at 8-7 with 4:51 on the clock. Haskell would again increase its lead to eight at 19-11 before Beath hit a three-pointer with two seconds on the clock off an assist by Maeda to make it 19-14.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Fernando would score the first points of the second half with a bucket in the paint to pull Peru State within three at 19-16. The teams battled back and forth until Ensminger drained a trey off an assist from Niebrugge to put the Bobcats on top for the first time since early in the game at 24-23 with 6:46 left in the first half. However, the Bobcats could not keep up with HINU for the rest of the half as the Fighting Indians outscored Peru State 17-9 to lead 40-33 at halftime.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
The closest the Bobcats would be in the third quarter was after Ensminger made a bucket at the 4:46 mark to pull Peru State within three at 46-43. HINU would outscore the 'Cats 16-5 to lead 62-48 after three stanzas.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
Fernando would complete an old-fashioned three-point play to start the fourth quarter to make it 62-51 and that would be as close as Peru State would be the rest of the game. The Fighting Indians would score 22 in the quarter while the Bobcats added 12.

HASKELL GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
HINU was hot from the floor as they made 34 of 66 field goals for 51.5% which included making 6 of 23 from long range for 26.1%. From the free throw line, the Fighting Indians were 10 of 11 for 90.9%. Peru State shot better than it had in several of its previous games as they made 19 of 49 field goal tries for 38.8% including hitting 10 of 24 from behind the arc for 41.7%. At the charity stripe, the 'Cats made 15 of 17 for 88.2%.
 
Haskell held a big rebounding edge as they grabbed 34 boards, including 12 offensive rebounds, compared to 19 total for the Bobcats. The Fighting Indians dished out 17 assists while the 'Cats had 14.

Both teams had their challenges handling the ball as HINU finished with 16 turnovers while the Bobcats had 22. HINU blocked one shot and had 17 steals while Peru State finished with five steals.

 
Individual Statistics
 
Four Bobcats finished in double figures and were led by Beath who finished with 16 points on 5 of 10 shooting which included making 4 of 6 from behind the arc. Fernando and Niebrugge each had 13 points while Maeda added 11.
 
Fernando led the team with six rebounds while Niebrugge grabbed five. Niebrugge dished out seven assists with Maeda handing out three. Niebrugge was also the team leader with two steals.
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will resume its Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) play Wednesday when they travel to Lamoni, Iowa, to face Graceland at 5:30 p.m. The Yellowjackets are 4-9 on the season and are 1-4 in the Heart North having lost its last four games in conference play.
 
On Saturday, Jan. 13, the Bobcats will host Mount Mercy (Iowa) at noon. Fans should note the start time as normally Saturday afternoon contests begin at 2 p.m. The Mustangs are 3-13 on the year and are winless in Heart play at 0-5.