(Peru, Neb.) – A huge first quarter effort by the hosts was enough for William Penn (WPU) to topple the Peru State Bobcats Wednesday night in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The Statesmen outscored the 'Cats 25-6 in the first period on their way to an 89-47 victory.
 
With the win, William Penn improved to 18-5 on the year and are 12-2 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) North Division. The loss for Peru State drops the Bobcats to 3-19 overall and 0-14 in Heart action.
 
First Quarter Play
 
WPU scored the first ten points of the game before Claire Cudney (Marysville, Kan.) hit a pair of free throws at the 6:11 mark. The Statesmen would run off another 11 points before Lauren Beath (Bakersfield, Calif.) hit a bucket in the paint to make 21-4 with 2:21 left in the quarter. Brooke Maeda (Honolulu) finished the quarter with a pair of free throws for the Bobcats.

 
Second Quarter Play
 
The Bobcats almost played the Statesmen even in the second quarter as Peru State scored 18 compared to 20 for WPU. A trey by Abigail Niebrugge (Omaha), which came off an assist from Maeda, put the score at 45-24 at halftime.
 
Third Quarter Play
 
The third quarter was almost identical to the first as the Statesmen outscored Peru State 21-6 to take a 66-30 lead into the final ten minutes.
 
Fourth Quarter Play
 
Peru State managed 17 points in the fourth period while WPU added another 23 for the 89-47 win.

WILLIAM PENN GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Both teams shot the ball well from the floor. WPU made 30 of 61 field goals for 49.2% which included making 15 of 31 from long range for 48.4%. The Statesmen also made 14 of 21 free throws for 66.7%. Peru State had its best shooting night of the season as they made 16 of 38 tries for 42.1% and also made 5 of 16 from behind the arc for 31.3%. The 'Cats were nearly perfect from the free throw line making 10 of 11 for 90.9%.

 
William Penn held a slight rebounding edge as they grabbed 31 rebounds compared to 25 for the Bobcats. The big differences came in assists and turnovers. The Statesmen doubled up the 'Cats in assists as they finished with 24. Peru State could not hold onto the ball as they matched a season-high 30 turnovers while WPU had just 12.
 
Both teams blocked two shots and as would be expected, WPU finished with 19 steals compared to five for the Bobcats.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Two Bobcats finished in double figures. Beath led the team with 12 points while Cudney added ten. All seven players suited up for the 'Cats scored.
 
Swaranga Fernando (Colombo, Sri Lanka) and Jakia Vaughn-Taylor (Omaha) each grabbed five rebounds.
 
Niebrugge dished out a team-high seven assists while Fernando and Cudney each handed out two. Fernando and Vaughn-Taylor each blocked one shot. Niebrugge was credited with two steals.
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State has five games remaining in the regular season. The Bobcats have another tough road contest this Saturday when they take on Central Methodist in Fayette, Mo., at 2 p.m. Having played the best in the North, the 'Cats now face one of the best in the South Division as the Eagles are 18-7 overall and are tied at the top of the division with a 12-2 conference mark. Central Methodist was receiving votes in the most recent poll.
 
On Valentine's Night, the Bobcats will host another set of 'Cats as the Baker (Kan.) Wildcats will visit for a 5:30 p.m. tilt. Baker is also 18-7 at this point and are 9-5 in the Heart South. The Wildcats were ranked 12^th in the most recent NAIA poll.