(Peru, Neb.) – The Peru State women's basketball team had a lead at halftime, but eventually fell at home to the visiting Culver-Stockton (C-SC) (Mo.) Wildcats Saturday afternoon.
 
The two teams were also tied at 47 each at the 5:16 mark in the third quarter before the Wildcats pulled away for the 84-69 win.
 
With the victory, Culver-Stockton improved to 10-12 on the year and 5-8 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) North Division. Peru State is now 3-20 on the year and 0-13 in conference action.

 
First Quarter Action
 
The Wildcats scored the first six points of the ballgame before Swaranga Fernando (Colombo, Sri Lanka) scored on an assist from Abigail Niebrugge (Omaha) with 7:44 left in the first quarter. Niebrugge then completed an old-fashioned three-point play to cut the lead to one coming off an assist from Brooke Maeda (Honolulu). After C-SC responded with a bucket, Maeda drained a trey off an assist from Lauren Beath (Bakersfield, Calif.) to tie the game at 8-8 at the 6:47 mark. Culver-Stockton would eventually lead 23-21 at the end of the first ten minutes.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Mallory Matthies (Omaha) hit a field goal in the paint off an assist from Claire Cudney (Marysville, Kan.) to tie the game at the start of the second quarter. Matthies would then make one of two free throws to give Peru State its first lead of the game. After the Wildcats responded, Cudney would get a bucket on an assist from Beath which was followed by a trey from Matthies on an assist from Cudney to put the Bobcats up 29-25. Later, the game would be tied at 29-29, 31-31, 33-33, and 37-37 before Maeda would get a free throw to put Peru State up 38-37 at halftime.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
The game would be tied three more times in the third quarter with the last tie coming at 47-47 before the Wildcats would score the next four points. C-SC would never trail after that point and led 53-48 at the end of 30 minutes.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
Peru State would keep the game to a single-digit deficit until just less than two minutes left in the game. The Bobcats would be forced to foul and the Wildcats would make their free throws down the stretch for the win.

CULVER-STOCKTON GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Culver-Stockton made 23 of 49 field goals for 46.9% which included making 4 of 15 from long distance for 26.7%. At the free throw line is where they won the game as they made 34 of 39 attempts for 87.2%. Peru State shot the ball the best they had in a long time as they made 24 of 60 field goal tries for 40% and made 7 of 19 from behind the arc for 36.8%. The Bobcats also fared well from the charity stripe by took less than one-half of the attempts that the Wildcats had. Peru State make 14 of 19 for 73.7%.
 
The Wildcats had a slight rebounding edge as they grabbed 30 boards compared to 26 for the Bobcats. Peru State dished out 16 assists compared to 14 for C-SC. The Wildcats finished with two more turnovers than Peru State as they committed 13 miscues. Both teams blocked one shot. Culver-Stockton had six steals compared to five for the Bobcats.
 
Individual Statistics  
All seven Bobcats suited for action were in the scoring column and four finished in double figures. Beath and Fernando each scored 14 points while Niebrugge added 12. Matthies finished with ten points before fouling out.
 
Cudney and Fernando each grabbed seven rebounds. Maeda dished out a game-high five assists while Beath, Niebrugge, and Cudney each handed out three. Cudney was credited with the blocked shot. Niebrugge and Cudney each finished with two steals.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
Peru State will be on the road for both of its contests next week before being home the following week for its two games.
 
On Wednesday, the Bobcats will be heading to Oskaloosa, Iowa, to face the top team in the North Division, that being the William Penn Statesmen. Presently, William Penn in 17-5 overall having won their last four contests. The Statesmen are 11-2 in the Heart North. Game time is 5:30 p.m.
 
Next Saturday, Feb. 10, Peru State will face one of the hottest teams at this time in the conference as they take on Central Methodist at 2 p.m. in Fayette, Mo. The Eagles are 17-7 on the year and are 11-2 in the Heart South while being on a five-game winning streak.
 
The Bobcats will host Baker (Kan.) on Valentine's Day at 5:30 p.m. and then will host Graceland (Iowa) on Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. It will be senior day on February 17 for the Bobcat women and men.