(Peru, Neb.) – When the visiting team makes over 50% of the three-point attempts, it can make it difficult for the home team.
 
That was the case Wednesday night when the visiting Baker (Kan.) Wildcats, ranked 12^th this week in the NAIA Division 1 Women's Basketball Coaches' Poll, defeated Peru State. Baker made 12 of 23 three-point attempts for 52.2% and also made 47.2% of their field goals.

The Wildcats topped the Bobcats 91-59.
 
With the win, Baker improved to 19-8 overall and are 10-6 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) South Division. Peru State fell to 3-21 on the year and are still looking for their first win in conference play as they now have 16 losses.
 
First Quarter Action
 
The Wildcats scored the first bucket of the game, but Abigail Niebrugge (Omaha) hit a trey to give Peru State its only lead of the game with 9:30 left in the quarter. Baker would score six straight points before Swaranga Fernando (Colombo, Sri Lanka) hit a bucket in the paint to stop the run at the 4:36 mark. The Wildcats would lead by as many as ten at 18-8 before Jakia Vaughn-Taylor (Omaha) hit in bucket in the paint as time expired off an assist from Claire Cudney (Marysville, Kan.). Baker led 18-10 after the first ten minutes.

 
Second Quarter Action
 
Baker would start the quarter on a 15-3 run to lead by 20 at 53-33 with 6:49 left in the first half. Cudney would make a pair of free throws to get the lead back to 18. The Wildcats would lead by 27 on two different occasions before leading 51-28 at halftime.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
The Wildcats would lead by as many as 28 in the third stanza at 57-29 with 8:58 left in the quarter. Late in the quarter at the 1:15 mark, Cudney would hit a bucket on a fast break to cut the deficit to 19 at 64-45. Baker would eventually lead 69-47 at the end of 30 minutes.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
With 8:25 to go, a bucket by Niebrugge pulled Peru State to within 20 at 71-51, but a 19 to 3 run iced the game for the Wildcats as they led 90-54 at the 2:28 mark.

BAKER GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
As noted earlier, Baker made 34 of 72 field goals for 47.2% and were outstanding from behind the arc. At the charity stripe, the Wildcats made 11 of 19 of 57.9%. Peru State connected on 20 of 60 field goals for 33.3% and hit the same percentage from long range as the made 5 of 15 three-point tries. The Bobcats hit 14 of 22 free throws for 63.6%.
 
The much taller Baker team only held a four rebound edge in the contest as they grabbed 37 rebounds compared to 33 for the Bobcats. The Wildcats did dish out 14 assists while holding the Bobcats to just three.
 
Baker only committed nine turnovers compared to 15 for the Bobcats. The Wildcats blocked five Peru State shots and had nine steals. The Bobcats finished with three steals.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Cudney finished with her second-straight double-double as she had a team-high 15 points and grabbed a game-high 18 rebounds. The 18 is the second-highest single game total in the conference this season.
 

Niebrugge added 14 points while Brooke Maeda (Honolulu) finished with 13. Fernando added nine rebounds in the loss.
 
Cudney was credited with two assists with Maeda having the other one. Fernando, Niebrugge, and Vaughn-Taylor each had one steal.
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will host two more home games before finishing the regular season on the road. On Saturday, the Graceland (Iowa) Yellowjackets will invade the Al Wheeler Activity Center for a 2 p.m. contest. Graceland is 6-18 overall and are 3-12 in the Heart North.
 
Between the women's and men's game on Saturday, the lone senior – Abigail Niebrugge – will be recognized, along with one cheerleader and eight men's basketball players.
 
Next Wednesday, Feb. 21, Clarke (Iowa) will be the opponent for a 5:30 p.m. game. The Pride are presently 17-9 on the year and are 9-7 in the Heart North.
 
The regular season will come to a close on Saturday, Feb. 24, as the Bobcats will travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to face Mount Mercy. The Mustangs are 6-21 on the season and are 3-13 in the Heart North.