(Peru, Neb.) – A 16-0 start to the game was all the Mount Mercy women's basketball team needed in route to a 68-52 lead over the visiting Peru State Bobcats Saturday.
 
The slow start by the 'Cats could have been attributed to the fact of the time of their time as the start of the game was delayed by two hours plus due to the inclement weather and travel factors.
 
The Mustangs improved to 7-23 on the year and 4-15 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) North Division. Peru State ended up winless in the Heart North with a 0-19 mark and finished the regular season at 3-24.

 
First Quarter Action
 
It was not until 2:53 left in the first quarter that a bucket by Claire Cudney (Marysville, Mo.) put the Bobcats on the board for the first time to trail 16-2. Lauren Beath (Bakersfield, Calif.) added a pair of free throws to make it 16-4 before the Mustangs hit another bucket. Beath then followed with a trey on an assist from Brooke Maeda (Honolulu). After another hoop by Mount Mercy, Cudney hit a bucket with 43 seconds left for the final score in the first quarter. The Mustangs led 20-9 at the end of ten minutes.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Mount Mercy led by double digits the entire second quarter. Abigail Niebrugge (Omaha) got a steal and put it in to pull Peru State within 11 about midway through the stanza. That would be as close as the 'Cats would be as the half ended with the Mustangs leading 35-22.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Like the second quarter, the Mustangs would lead by double digits the entire way in the third. After leading 51-33 with 2:44 to go, Peru State would close the gap as Cudney would complete an old-fashioned three-point-play and then finished the quarter with a bucket to make it 51-38 after 30 minutes.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
Peru State would continue to fight. At the 9:00 minute mark, Swaranga Fernando (Colombo, Sri Lanka) hit a bucket to pull the Bobcats within ten at 51-41. Later, Fernando would hit another bucket at the 3:12 point and Peru State was within nine at 58-49. But, the Mustangs would seal the win with a 10-0 run to put the game out of reach.

MOUNT MERCY GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics

 
Mount Mercy made 25 of 63 field goals for 39.7% which included hitting 9 of 27 from behind the arc for 33.3%. The Mustangs made 9 of 15 from the free throw line for 60%. Peru State made 20 of 64 field goals for 31.3%, but were challenged from long range as they hit only 4 of 21 for 19%. The Bobcats did make 8 of 11 free throws for 27.7%.
 
The 'Cats did have a rebounding edge as they grabbed 49 compared to 36 for the Mustangs. Mount Mercy nearly doubled up Peru State in assists as they dished out 13 compared to seven for Peru State.
 
Peru State had trouble handling the ball as they finished with 24 turnovers compared to 11 for the Mustangs. Mount Mercy blocked two shots and grabbed 15 steals while the 'Cats only had three steals.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Beath finished with a game-high 18 points. Cudney added 16 points.
 
Cudney had her fifth double-double of the year as she grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds. Fernando finished with nine boards and Beath added seven.
 
Fernando, Maeda, and Cudney each dished out two assists. Niebrugge led the team with three steals.
 
Upcoming Contest
 
Peru State will be heading to Olathe, Kan., on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. to face MidAmerica Nazarene in the first round of the Heart post-season tournament. The Pioneers finished as the second seed in the Heart South with a 23-5 overall record and 15-4 in division play.
 
This is a single elimination tournament, so the Bobcats will have to break their losing streak in order to continue play in 2018.