(Peru, Neb.) – If you want to become the best, at some time you have to play the best. That was the case for the Peru State women's basketball team Friday night in their 2018-19 season opener.

The Bobcats were toppled by the NAIA Division II's top-ranked team in the Cattle Classic in Seward, Neb. The host Concordia Bulldogs pulled away for a big 100-55 win over the 'Cats.
 
The Bulldogs improved to 3-0 on the season with the Bobcats falling to 0-1.
 
First Quarter Action
 
Concordia jumped to a 9-0 lead before Maria Alcantra (Recife, Brazil) drained a three-pointer off an assist from Brooke Maeda (Honolulu) with 4:54 left in the quarter. Alcantra would then grab a defensive rebound which would eventually lead to a bucket by Giovanna Silva (Brazilia, Brazil) off an assist from Swaranga Fernando (Colombo, Sri Lanka) to cut the lead to four at 9-5.
 
Peru State would still be within four with 2:16 left in the first quarter at 13-9 after Jordan Salas (Winfield, Kan.) hit a bucket coming off an assist from Daspin Bruning (Everest, Kan.).
 
The Bulldogs would eventually lead 19-11 at the end of the first quarter.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
After Concordia led by ten twice early in the second quarter, Peru State would pull back within five after Keaundra Washington (Omaha) hit a trey with 6:43 in the period to make it 26-21.
 
After that, it was pretty much all Bulldogs as they outscored the Bobcats 24-4 to lead 50-25 at the end of 20 minutes.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Concordia dominated the third as they scored 31 points compared to 15 for the 'Cats. The Bulldogs led 81-40 after three quarters.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
The fourth quarter was fairly even in terms of points, but Concordia did outscore the Bobcats 19-15 in the final ten minutes.
 
Team Statistics
 
Concordia made 45% of its field goals as they connected on 36 of 80 in the game which included making 6 of 24 from long range for 25%. At the free throw line, the Bulldogs made 22 of 28 of 78.6%. Peru State hit 17 of 58 from the floor for 29.3% and were a little better from behind the arc making 4 of 12 for 33.3%. At the charity stripe, the 'Cats made 17 of 28 for 60.7%.
 
The Bulldogs grabbed ten more boards than the Bobcats as they finished with 50. Concordia only committed 22 while the 'Cats had 39. The Bulldogs blocked three shots while the Bobcats finished with two.
 
Peru Individual Statistics
 
No Bobcat finished in double figures in scoring, but all eight players suiting up and playing did score. Silva led the team with nine points while Maeda and Salas each added eight. Bruning and Beth Hall (Graceville, Fla.) each finished with seven.
 
Silva and Alcantra led the team with eight rebounds while Fernando grabbed seven.
 
Silva dished out four assists with Maeda and Washington each dishing out two.
 
Silva and Washington were each credited with a blocked shot.
 
Upcoming Game
 
Peru State took on Doane in the second round of the Cattle Classic Saturday morning at 10 a.m.
 
Next Wednesday they will travel to Bellevue to take on the Bruins at 6 p.m. The Bruins are off to a 4-1 start for the season.
 
The Bobcats' first home game will be Friday, Nov. 9, when they host York at 5 p.m. The Panthers are presently 1-1.