(Peru, Neb.) – There was still a glimmer of hope late in the third quarter for the Peru State women's basketball team as they were looking to snap their long losing streak. However, the visiting Graceland Yellowjackets had other thoughts and slowly pulled away for a 17-point win in Peru on Saturday.

The Yellowjackets eventually won 78-61 to improve to 7-18 overall and 4-12 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) North Division. The 'Cats fell to 3-22 on the year and are still winless in the Heart North with a 0-17 mark.

 
First Quarter Action
 
The Bobcats jumped out to an early lead as Swaranga Fernando (Colombo, Sri Lanka) hit a bucket in the paint off an assist from Claire Cudney (Marysville, Kan.). On Peru State's next possession, Cudney would complete an old-fashioned three-point-play to put the Bobcats up 5-0 at the 8:49 mark in the quarter. Graceland would come back to tie it at 5-5 before Lauren Beath (Bakersfield, Calif.) would break the tie with a bucket on an assist from Abigail Niebrugge (Omaha). Niebrugge would again extend the lead back to five with a trey of her own off an assist from Brooke Maeda (Honolulu).
 
Once again, the 'Jackets would come back to tie it and this time took a two-point lead. Later in the quarter, Peru State would have an 18-14 lead after Maeda hit a trey off an assist from Niebrugge. Graceland would go on a 6-1 run to end the quarter with a 20-19 lead and never trailed after that point.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Graceland led by as many as seven on three different occasions in the quarter with the last one being at 32-25. A field goal by Maeda was followed by a trey by Beath on an assist from Maeda and suddenly the 'Cats were within two at 32-30. The Yellow jackets would get a three-pointer to end the quarter as they led 35-30 at halftime.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Peru State kept it close for part of the third stanza. With 6:41 left, a trey by Niebrugge on an assist from Fernando pulled the 'Cats within two at 41-39. Graceland would then go on an 11-2 run to take their first double-digit lead. By the end of the quarter, the Yellowjackets led 57-46.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
The Bobcats tried to make it interesting at the beginning of the final ten minutes. Cudney hit a bucket on an assist from Beath to cut the lead to nine and would later follow with another bucket to make it 57-50. Beath would drain a trey off an assist from Niebrugge and suddenly it was a four-point contest.
 
Graceland would then score the next six points and for the rest of the game, the Yellowjackets would slowly pull away for the 17-point win.

GRACELAND GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics

 
The Yellowjackets made nearly 50% of their field goals as they hit 29 of 59 for 49.2% which included making 3 of 11 from long range for 27.3%. From the free throw line, Graceland went 11 of 17 for 77.3%. Peru State connected on 23 of 60 field goal tries for 38.3% and also made 7 of 24 from behind the arc for 29.2%. The 'Cats struggled from the free throw line which was surprising as they made only 8 of 21 for 38.1%.
 
The Bobcats did outrebound Graceland 32 to 30, but trailed the Yellowjackets in assists at 18 to 16. Peru State also committed 22 turnovers compared to 17 for Graceland.
 
Peru State did double up the 'Jackets in blocked shots as they finished with six compared to three for Graceland. The Yellowjackets nabbed 13 steals while the Bobcats finished with 11.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Three Bobcats finished in double figures as Beath led the way with 14 points. Niebrugge and Cudney finished with 13 and 11 respectively.
 
Fernando, Niebrugge, and Cudney each led the team with seven rebounds. Maeda dished out a game-high six assists while Niebrugge and Cudney had four and three respectively.
 
Cudney blocked a game- and season-high four shots while Niebrugge was credited with two. Cudney also led the team with five steals while Niebrugge grabbed four.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
Peru State will finish it regular season this week with a home game on Wednesday and an away game on Saturday.
 
Clarke (Iowa) will be Wednesday night's opponent at 5:30 p.m. The Pride are 17-10 on the year and are 9-8 in the Heart North. Clarke has lost their last two contests. It will First Responders Night and Peru State Staff Appreciation Night on Wednesday. Those in attendance will be recognized between the women's and men's game at approximately 7:00 p.m.

 
On Saturday, the Bobcats will travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to face Mount Mercy at 2 p.m. The Mustangs are 6-22 on the season and are 3-14 in the Heart North. Mount Mercy is on a seven-game losing streak.
 
This year, all 14 teams in the Heart will be participating in the post-season tournament. Peru State will be playing on the road Tuesday night, Feb. 27, and will either play at MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) or Benedictine (Kan.).