(Peru, Neb.) – One of the most challenging seasons in Peru State's women's basketball history came to an end Tuesday night.
 
The Bobcats played in the first round of the Heart of America Athletic Conference Post-Season Tournament in Olathe, Kan., and were defeated by MidAmerica Nazarene (MNU) 83-62.
 
The sixth-ranked Pioneers improved to 24-5 overall while the 'Cats finished the year at 3-25.
 
First Quarter Action
 

After a basket by the Pioneers, Brooke Maeda (Honolulu) hit a trey on an assist from Swaranga Fernando (Colombo, Sri Lanka) at the 9:05 mark. On their next two possessions, MNU hit a two-pointer, followed by a three-pointer to go up 7-3 and never trailed after that point. Claire Cudney (Marysville, Kan.) stopped that little run with a bucket in the paint but the two-point deficit would be as close as the 'Cats would be the rest of the way. The Pioneers led 28-10 at the end of the first period.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Fernando scored the first points of the second stanza before the Pioneers would score six straight to extend their lead to 22 at 34-12. MNU would lead by as many as 27 on several different occasions in the quarter. Fernando would make one of two free throws to end the first half with Peru State trailing 50-24.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
MNU would score the first eight points of the third quarter before Lauren Beath (Bakersfield, Calif.) would hit a bucket in the paint. Fernando, Beath, and Cudney would each follow with buckets to make it 58-32 with 5:39 left in the third period. The Pioneers would eventually lead 70-43 after 30 minutes of action
 
Fourth Quarter Action

 
The Pioneers scored the first five points of the final quarter before Abigail Niebrugge (Omaha) made a pair of free throws to get the Bobcats on the board at the 7:06 mark. By the end of the game, Peru State had outscored MNU in the stanza as Cudney hit two free throws to finish off the game.

MNU GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
MNU made 32 of 78 field goals for 41% which included hitting 5 of 23 from behind the arc for 21.7%. From the free throw line, the Pioneers made 14 of 20 for 70%. Peru State connected on 21 of 60 field goals for 35% and did well from long range hitting 7 of 17 for 41.2%. At the charity stripe, the 'Cats made 13 of 20 for 65%.
 
Despite playing against a distinct height advantage, the Bobcats were only out-rebounded by ten as the Pioneers grabbed 50 rebounds compared to 40 for Peru State. MNU nearly doubled up the Bobcats in assists as they had 26 while Peru State finished with 14.
 
The Pioneers finished with only eight turnovers while forcing 19 Bobcat miscues. MNU blocked seven shots with the Bobcats being credited with two. The Pioneers finished with ten steals while Peru State had three.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Three Bobcats finished in double figures and were led by Cudney who finished with a game-high 23 points. Niebrugge ended her career with 19 points while Fernando added ten.

 
Cudney finished the game with a double-double as she grabbed a game high 13 rebounds. Fernando also had a double-double as she had ten boards.
 
Cudney and Beath each dished out five assists with Maeda adding two. Fernando and Cudney each blocked one shot. Cudney, Maeda, and Fernando each had one steal.
 
Season Ended
 
Peru State finished with season on a 22-game losing streak after starting the year with a 3-3 mark. They were 0-19 in the Heart.
 
Niebrugge ended her two-year career at Peru State averaging 11.5 points per game and grabbing 3.7 boards per contest.