(Peru, Neb.) – A 7-0 run to start the game propelled the Evangel Crusaders to gain their seventh win of the season with a victory over Peru State. The Crusaders went on to top the visiting Bobcats 81-62 Saturday afternoon in Springfield, Mo.
 
Evangel improved to 7-3 on the season and 2-3 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). The 'Cats fell to 1-7 overall and are 0-4 in conference play.
 
First Quarter Action
 
A three-pointer by Maria Alcantara (Recife, Brazil) stopped the 7-0 Crusader run with 5:46 left in the first quarter. Evangel would then go on a 13-2 run to put the score at 20-5 before Alyssa Marsh-Contreras (Bellevue) scored a hoop. Swaranga Fernando (Colombo, Sri Lanka) kept the Bobcat mini-run going with a bucket in the paint off an assist from Alcantara. Marsh-Contreras would nab a steal and take it to the hoop and the Bobcats were back within single digits trailing 20-11 with 56 seconds left in the first quarter.

 
Evangel would add a pair of free throws to end the first quarter leading 22-11.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
A basket by Fernando started the second quarter and it would be the only time in the second stanza that Peru State was within single digits. Late in the quarter, the Crusaders led by 22 at 47-25 before Jordan Salas (Winfield, Kan.) would score the final points of the first half off an assist from Brooke Maeda (Honolulu).
 
Third Quarter Action
 
The Crusaders would score the first seven points of the third period before Maeda hit a trey off an assist from Alcantara. Evangel would lead by as many as 31 at 65-34 before Salas hit a bucket on an assist from Marsh-Contreras with 1:31 left in the quarter. Lauren Beath (Bakersfield, Calif.) would later get a bucket off an assist from Marsh-Contreras to make it 65-38, but Evangel would hit a three-pointer to end the quarter leading by 30 at 68-38.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
Evangel's largest lead of the game would 32 at 80-48 with 2:29 left before the Bobcats would score a flurry of points. It started with a trey from Marsh-Contreras. Later, a free throw by Fernando would cut the score to 20 at 80-60. After a made free throw by the Crusaders, Marsh-Contreras would get the final bucket of the game to make the final score 81-62.

EVANGEL GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Evangel had the edge in shooting as they made 28 of 70 attempts for 40% which included making 6 of 17 from long range for 35.3%. At the free throw line, the Crusaders sank 19 of 28 for 67.9%. The Bobcats made 25 of 73 field goals from 34.2% including hitting 6 of 23 from behind the arc for 26.1%. At the charity stripe, the 'Cats made 6 of 8 for 75%.
 
The Crusaders had a big rebounding edge as they grabbed 54 boards compared to 40 rebounds for Peru State. Evangel dished out two more assists than Peru State as they finished with 16.

 
The turnovers were nearly even as the Bobcats finished with 19 – just one more than Evangel. Both teams blocked three shots. Both teams also finished with ten steals.
 
Peru Player Statistics
 
Only Marsh-Contreras finished in double figures for Peru State as she had a game-high 18 points on 8 of 14 shooting. Salas added nine points in her most significant play of the season while Fernando contributed seven points.
 
Fernando led the team with eight rebounds while Giovanna Silva (Brazilia, Brazil) grabbed six. Maeda dished out four assists while Alcantara handed out three.
 
Silva, Alcantara, and Salas each blocked one shot. Marsh-Contreras had a game-high four steals.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
Peru State has two more road contests before playing at home again on Dec. 15. This Tuesday, the 'Cats will be in Des Moines to face Grand View at 5:30 p.m. The Vikings are 3-4 overall and 2-3 in the Heart having grabbed a win over Culver-Stockton (Mo.) on Saturday.
 
On Dec. 8, the Bobcats will be in Oskaloosa, Iowa, facing William Penn at 2 p.m. The Statesmen are off to an 8-1 mark having lost their first game on Saturday to MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.). William Penn is 5-1 in conference play.
 
Culver-Stockton will be Peru State's opponent on Dec. 15 at noon. The Wildcats are 4-5 on the season and are 2-4 in conference play. It will be Toys for Tots day with anyone bringing a toy getting in free.