(Peru, Neb.) – Three quarters of the game were played to a one-point difference. However, a 30-9 second quarter win by the visiting Central Methodist (CMU) Eagles was enough for the win.
 
The 11^th-ranked Eagles topped Peru State 71-49 Saturday afternoon in the Al Wheeler Activity Center on the Campus of a Thousand Oaks.
 
CMU improved to 3-1 overall and 2-0 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). Peru State fell to 1-4 on the season and dropped their first conference game.

 
First Quarter Action
 
After the Eagles scored the first basket of the game, Alyssa Marsh-Contreras (Bellevue) hit a bucket to tie it up with 8:40 on the clock. Marsh-Contreras would get another hoop, but could not hit the free throw. On an assist from Giovanna Silva (Brazilia, Brazil), Claire Cudney (Marysville, Kan.) would extend the lead to 8-2. Brooke Maeda (Honolulu) would then feed Marsh-Contreras and she would drain a trey to make it 11-2 with 6:47 left in the first stanza.
 
At the 5:11 mark in the first quarter, the Bobcats would have their largest lead of the game on another bucket by Marsh-Contreras. Peru State would lead 15-4 at that point.
 
That was when the tide turned as CMU would outscore the 'Cats 12-1 to end the quarter with the 17-16 lead.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Central Methodist would have their first double-digit lead at 31-21 before Cudney would hit a bucket to make it 31-23 at the 5:11 mark.
 
The Eagles would outscore the Bobcats 16-2 to take a commanding 47-25 lead at halftime.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
A basket by Silva on an assist from Marsh-Contreras started the second half for Peru State. Maria Alcantara (Recife, Brazil) would follow with a field goal to make it 47-29.
 
By the end of the quarter, CMU led 63-36.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
The Eagles would maintain their 20-point-plus lead throughout the fourth quarter. CMU led by as many as 29 on two different occasions.

The closest the Bobcats would get would be 69-48 when Beth Hall (Graceville, Fla.) would score off a turnover with 2:59 left.

CENTRAL METHODIST GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 

The teams were relatively close in their overall field goal percentage, but there was a big disparity in the other shooting aspects.
 
CMU made 29 of 73 field goals for 39.7%, but shot better from long range making 6 of 15 for 40%. The Eagles were a perfect 7 of 7 at the charity stripe. Peru State made 21 of 60 field goals for 35% while only make 1 of 10 from behind the arc for 10%. The Bobcats struggled at the free throw line making just 6 of 14 for 42.9%.
 
The 'Cats actually outrebounded the Eagles 41 to 36, but CMU dished out nearly three times as many assists as they finished with 19 while Peru State had just 7.
 
Also, the Bobcats had nearly double the turnovers as they committed 28 miscues while CMU only had 15. The Eagles blocked 4 shots – 2 more than Peru State. Also, Central Methodist nabbed 19 steals compared to just 8 for the 'Cats.
 
Peru Individual Statistics
 
Cudney led all scorers as she finished with 16 points on 7 of 16 shooting. Marsh-Contreras added 15 points on 7 of 14 shooting. Silva put up 6 points.
 
Cudney finished with a double-double as she grabbed 10 rebounds. Alcantara added 8 rebounds.
 
Alcantara led the team with 3 assists while Maeda dished out 2. Silva and Alcantara each blocked 1 shot. Marsh-Contreras led the squad with 3 steals while Alcantara added 2.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
Peru State will be on the road Tuesday night for its second-straight Heart contest. The Bobcats will face Baker in Baldwin City, Kan., at 5:30 p.m. The Wildcats are now 6-1 on the season and 1-1 in conference action having topped Clarke (Iowa) on the road on Saturday.
 
The Bobcats will then play an exhibition game on Saturday afternoon when they travel to face their sister College – Wayne State at 4 p.m. The NCAA DII Wildcats are 3-1 on the year.
 
The 'Cats will then host Graceland (Iowa) Monday, Nov. 26, at 5:30 p.m. The Yellowjackets presently have a 6-1 record, but are 0-1 in the Heart.