(Peru, Neb.) – After trailing by as many as 23 in the fourth quarter, the Peru State women continued to fight as they eventually cut the deficit to 11 with 44 seconds left on the clock. However, their gallant effort was not enough as the host Central Methodist (CMU) Eagles eventually won 94-79 in Fayette, Mo., Saturday afternoon.
 
The Eagles, who were receiving votes in the most recent NAIA Coaches' Poll, improved to 13-2 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) South Division and are 19-7 overall. CMU is presently leading the Heart South. Peru State, despite its efforts against one of the league's top teams, fell to 3-22 overall and are now 0-15 in the Heart North.
 
First Quarter Action
 
After the Eagles hit the first bucket of the game, Abigail Niebrugge (Omaha) drained a trey to put Peru State up 3-2 with 7:20 to go in the first quarter. CMU countered with a bucket and then Claire Cudney (Marysville, Kan.) hit a bucket after grabbing an offensive rebound to make it 5-4 'Cats with 5:46 left in the first stanza. That would be the last lead Peru State would have as Central Methodist would rattle off seven straight points to go up 11-5. The Eagles would lead 21-11 after the first ten minutes.

 
Second Quarter Action
 
CMU would score the first eight points of the second quarter before Lauren Beath (Bakersfield, Calif.) drained a trey on an assist from Niebrugge. Later in the quarter, a bucket by Beth Hall (Graceville, Fla.) pulled Peru State to within 16, but the Eagles finished the stanza with a three-pointer and led 53-34 at halftime.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Cudney hit the first bucket of the third period before the Eagles made back-to-back buckets to extend their lead to 21 at 57-36 with 6:36 on the clock. A Niebrugge three-pointer put the lead back to 18. Later, Beath hit a three-pointer and Peru State was within 15 at 59-44 with just over five minutes left in the quarter. But that was as close as the 'Cats would get as they ended up trailing 73-50 at the end of three periods.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
Central Methodist would lead by 20 for about the first three minutes of the quarter before Niebrugge made it an 18-point deficit at 79-61 with 6:57 to go. Beath would get it down to 14 with an unconventional four-point play as she was fouled on her good three-point try. The assist had come from Swaranga Fernando (Colombo, Sri Lanka). Late in the game, CMU led 90-72, but the Bobcats would not quit. Beath got an assist from Niebrugge and hit a trey to make it 90-75. Cudney grabbed an offensive rebound and scored to cut the led to 13 and then later, Cudney hit another two-pointer, off an assist from Fernando to get the 'Cats within 11 at 90-79. But, CMU would finish off with five points for the win.

CENTRAL METHODIST GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics

 
Both teams shot the ball well from the floor as CMU made 36 of 71 field goals for 50.7%, but the Eagles were cool from long range making just 4 of 22 for 18.2%. The Eagles actually iced the game from the free throw line making 18 of 21 for 85.7%. Peru State had one of its best shooting nights of the season as they connected on 32 of 71 field goals for 45.1% and made an outstanding 10 of 19 from long range for 41.7%. The Bobcats did struggle at the free throw line, something they have usually been good at during the season. The 'Cats made 5 of 12 for 41.7%.
 
Peru State actually held a rebounding edge as they grabbed 46 boards compared to 33 for the Eagles. The 'Cats dished out 16 assists while CMU had 12.
 
Turnovers plagued the Bobcats as they had 25 while CMU finished with 11. The Eagles blocked five shots and had 16 steals while Peru State finished with six steals.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Cudney had career highs in both scoring and rebounding as she finished with 27 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Beath added 18 points while Niebrugge was also in double figures with 17 points.
 
Fernando also finished in double figures in rebounding as she contributed ten. Niebrugge was one shy of having a double-double as well.

 
Brooke Maeda (Honolulu) dished out a game-high seven assists with Niebrugge handing out four. Beath and Niebrugge were each credited with two steals.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
The Bobcats will host two home contests this coming week. On Valentine's Day night, the 12^th-ranked Baker (Kan.) Wildcats will visit the Al Wheeler Activity Center at 5:30 p.m. The Wildcats were handed their third-straight loss Saturday by Missouri Valley. Baker is now 18-8 on the year and are 9-6 in the Heart South.
 
It will be Senior Day on Saturday when the Bobcats host Graceland (Iowa) at 2 p.m. The Yellowjackets are 5-19 on the year and are 2-13 in the Heart North. The Yellowjackets have lost nine conference games since they defeated Peru State in Lamoni back on Jan. 10.
 
Senior Day will take place between the games with the lone senior, Niebrugge, being honored, along with one cheerleader and several men's basketball players.