(Peru, Neb.) – While the outcome was not what was desired, the performance was better in the Peru State women's basketball team's second game of the season.
 
The Doane Tigers topped the 'Cats 72-63 in the second game of the Cattle Classic hosted by Concordia in Seward this past weekend.
 
With the win, Doane improved to 2-1 while the Bobcats fell to 0-2.
 
First Quarter Action
 
The Tigers scored first and actually never trailed in the contest although the Bobcats kept it close during most of the game. After trailing 4-0, Brooke Maeda (Honolulu) hit a trey to pull the 'Cats within one with 8:20 left in the first period.
 
Doane would later lead by five at 10-5 with 4:15 left in the quarter. A pair of free throws by Swaranga Fernando (Colombo, Sri Lanka) pulled the 'Cats back within three at 10-7. Fernando would then get a bucket off an assist from Jordan Salas (Winfield, Kan.) to get Peru State to just a one-point deficit with 2:38 left.
 
A Fernando free throw would end the quarter with Peru State trailing 12-10.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Again, Doane would extend its lead to five to begin the quarter. A pair of Keaundra Washington (Omaha) free throws, followed by a bucket by Fernando, made it 15-14. But that would be as close as the Bobcats would be in the quarter.
 
Doane would lead by 13 near the end of the half before Maeda hit another trey to cut the deficit to ten at 34-24 at halftime.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Peru State saw the Tigers jump out to a 17-point lead as Doane scored the first seven points of the third quarter. But, the Bobcats would fight back.
 
Beth Hall (Graceville, Fla.) would hit a trey and then Giovanna Silva (Brazilia, Brazil) hit a pair of free throws to make it 41-29 with 5:35 left in the third stanza. A pair of free throws by Maeda got the 'Cats back within ten and then Silva followed with two free throws and suddenly it was an eight-point game at 41-33 with 4:53 left in the quarter.
 
Later, a two-point bucket by Daspin Bruning (Everest, Kan.) pulled the Bobcats to within six with 2:39 to go in the third. Doane would go back up by ten later in the quarter before Salas hit a pair of free throws to end the quarter. The Tigers led 52-44 with ten minutes remaining.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
Again, Doane would score early in the fourth and extend their lead to double-digits. They would lead by 14 at 60-46 before Peru State would again start a comeback.
 
With 3:18 to go in the game, Silva would complete an old-fashioned three-point play to pull the Bobcats within seven at 64-57.
 
Later, with just 30 seconds remaining, a trey by Maria Alcantra (Recife, Brazil) had the Bobcats nipping at the Tigers as they were only down by four at 67-63. But, Peru State was forced to foul and eventually lost the contest by nine as Doane made their free throws down the stretch.

DOANE BOX SCORE
 
Team Statistics
 
The Tigers had a higher field goal percentage than Peru State as they made 24 of 53 field goals for 45.3% including hitting 5 of 12 from long range for 41.7%. At the charity stripe, Doane made 19 of 26 for 73.1%. The Bobcats made 16 of 58 field goals for 27.6% and actually shot a little better from behind the arc as they made 6 of 21 for 28.6%. The 'Cats did fare better at the free throw line connecting on 25 of 32 tries for a very respectable 78.1%.
 
Peru State actually outrebounded the Tigers as they finished with 40 compared to 38 for Doane. The Tigers did dish out a few more assists as they had 18 while Peru State finished with 14.
 
Both teams had 18 turnovers. Doane blocked one more shot while finishing with five blocks. The Bobcats finished with one more steal as they had seven.
 
Peru Individual Statistics
 
Three Bobcats finished in double figures. Maeda led the team with 15 points while Fernando finished with 14. Silva added 13 points.
 
Silva nearly had a double double as she led the team with a game-high nine rebounds. Fernando grabbed six with Salas adding five.
 
Alcantra and Maeda each dished out four assist with Washington contributing three.
 
Washington led the team with two blocks while Silva and Salas were each credited with one block.

Salas and Silva each had two steals to lead the team.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
Peru State will play two non-conference games this week with one on the road and one at home.
 
On Wednesday, the Bobcats will be in Bellevue to face the Bruins at 6 p.m. Bellevue has started the season with a 4-1 record.
 
Friday night, the 'Cats will play their first home contest when they host York at 5 p.m. The Panthers are 1-1 on the year.