(Peru, Neb.) – It was a historic night of sorts in the Al Wheeler Activity Center (AWAC) Friday night when the Peru State women's basketball team defeated the visiting York Panthers 87-70.
 
The first bit of history was that the win broke a 25-game losing streak which went back to Nov. 17, 2017, when the team topped Bellevue 59-50 at home.
 
The second part of history was that the 87 points were the most scored by a Bobcat women's team in over two years when Peru State lost to the College of St. Mary 91-87 on Nov. 4, 2016.
 
With the win, the 'Cats improved to 1-3 overall while the Panthers fell to 2-2.
 
First Quarter Action
 
The Bobcats never trailed in the game as they started off with a bucket by Swaranga Fernando (Colombo, Sri Lanka) with just 29 seconds off the clock. Beth Hall (Graceville, Fla.) hit a bucket off an assist from Fernando to make it 4-0. Maria Alcantara (Recife, Brazil) hit a trey coming off an assist from Hall which was followed by Giovanna Silva (Brazilia, Brazil) making one of two free throws. With 7:22 still to go in the first period, the 'Cats led 8-0.

 
York would make a pair of buckets to cut the lead to four, but Silva responded with a bucket to stop the mini-run.
 
Later, a field goal by Alyssa Marsh-Contreras (Bellevue) at the end of the quarter would give the 'Cats a 19-10 lead after ten minutes.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
About half-way through the second quarter, Peru State had built their lead to 17 when Alcantara hit another trey.
 
With 1:36 left in the half, York was within 14, but Lauren Beath (Bakersfield, Calif.) hit a three-pointer off the assist from Marsh-Contreras to make it 44-27. Marsh-Contreras would make one of two free throws to extend the lead to 18 before Daspin Bruning (Everest, Kan.) would hit a bucket in the paint off an assist from Claire Cudney (Marysville, Kan.) to make the score at halftime 47-27.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Alcantara would hit a trey to start the second half off an assist from Brooke Maeda (Honolulu) to extend the lead to 23 – the largest of the game at that point.
 
York would not go away and pulled within eight at 57-49 with just under three minutes left in the third stanza. Allison Tichy (Bellevue) would come through with a three-pointer to put the 'Cats back up by double digits at 60-49. After the Panthers hit one free throw, Maeda would score the final points of the quarter as she drove to the hoop.
 
Peru State led 62-50 after 30 minutes.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
A bucket by Silva started the fourth quarter and was followed with a three-pointer by Tichy off an assist from Maeda to make it 67-50 with 9:08 left in the contest. Alcantara would hit one of two free throws to extend the lead to 18 before the Panthers would score five straight to get back within 13.
 
Peru State would have its largest lead at 81-58 after Fernando hit a bucket in the paint off the assist from Tichy with 3:42 remaining in the contest.
 
Later, a Beath trey kept the lead at 23 at 85-62 before York would hit some shots near the end of the game to close the gap to 17.

YORK GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics

 
The Bobcats were better from the floor than the Panthers, but were out-shot at the free throw line. Peru State made 32 of 70 field goal attempts for 45.7% which included making 11 of 30 from long range for 36.7%. At the charity stripe, the 'Cats were 12 of 24 for 50% - a season low. York made 23 of 59 field goals for 39% including connecting on just 3 of 18 from behind the arc for 16.7%.
 
Peru State had a big rebounding edge grabbing 43 board compared to 27 for the Panthers. The Bobcats dished out 14 assists while York had four.
 
The Panthers had one more turnover than Peru State as they finished with 17. York also won the blocks and steals battle. The Panthers had two blocks compared to just one for Peru State. They also finished with eight steals compared to five for the 'Cats.
 
Peru Individual Statistics
 
Peru State finished with three players in double figures with Alcantara leading the way with 16 points on 5 of 9 shooting which included hitting 5 of 8 from long range. Maeda and Tichy each added 12 points. Beath and Silva each finished with nine points. Eleven of the 12 Bobcats suiting up were in the scoring column.
 
Cudney led the 'Cats in rebounding as she finished with ten boards. Silva and Fernando each grabbed five rebounds.
 
Maeda dished out a game-high five assists with Alcantara adding two.
 
Cudney was credited with the team's only blocked shot.
 
Five players – Silva, Alcantara, Cudney, Marsh-Contreras, and Beath each grabbed one steal.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
The next time the Bobcats hit the court they will be already starting their Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) play. This year the 13 basketball teams are playing a true round robin.
 
Peru State will host Central Methodist on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 2 p.m. The Eagles, who were pre-season ranked 11^th in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll, are 1-1 on the season.
 
The 'Cats will then travel to Baldwin City, Kan., on Nov. 20 to take on Baker at 5:30 p.m. The Wildcats are off to a 4-0 mark.