(Peru, Neb.) – The MidAmerica Nazarene (MNU) Pioneer women's basketball team came into the contest with Peru State tied for second in the poll which came out just hours before the game started.
 
The Pioneers proved themselves Wednesday night as they ended up rolling past the Bobcats 93-52 in the Al Wheeler Activity Center on Peru State's campus.
 
MNU improved to 12-1 on the year and remain perfect in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). The 'Cats fell to 2-10 on the season and are now 1-7 in conference action.
 
First Quarter Action
 
For the first eight minutes of the contest, the Bobcats gave the Pioneers all they could handle forcing some consternation on the MNU bench.
 
After the Pioneers scored the first points of the game, Maria Alcantara (Recife, Brazil) hit a three-pointer to put Peru State up 3-2 at the 8:31 mark. The lead would change two times before being tied at 7-7 before Giovanna Silva (Brazilia, Brazil) finished off an old-fashioned three-point play to put the 'Cats up 8-7 with 6:12 to go in the first ten minutes.
MNU countered with a trey to regain the lead before Alyssa Marsh-Contreras (Bellevue) pulled up and hit a three-pointer of her own to put Peru State up 11-10. Silva followed with a bucket in the paint off an assist from Claire Cudney (Marysville, Kan.). Cudney then grabbed a defensive rebound and the 'Cats went up by five after Silva hit a two-pointer in the paint. With 3:28 remaining in the first stanza, the Bobcats led 15-10.
 
The Pioneers would then go on a 15-0 run to end the first quarter leading 25-15.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Silva started the quarter with back-to-back hoops to pull Peru State within six at 25-19. The Pioneers would counter with an 8-0 run to go back up 33-19.
 
At halftime, MidAmerica Nazarene would lead 42-23.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Silva started the third quarter with a bucket after grabbing an offensive rebound to get the 'Cats back within 17.
 
That 17-point deficit would be as close as the Bobcats would be the rest of the game as they were later within 17 at 50-33 after Cudney hit a bucket in the paint.
 
The Pioneers would eventually lead 69-42 at the end of 30 minutes.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
Jordan Salas (Winfield, Kan.) would score for Peru State to start the fourth off an assist from Cudney. Again, the 25-point deficit was as close as the 'Cats would be the rest of the way.
 
MNU would continue to pull away in the fourth for the 93-52 win.

MIDAMERICA NAZARENE BOX SCORE
Team Statistics
 
The Pioneers were hot from the floor as they made 32 of 67 field goals for 47.8% including making 11 of 28 from long range for 39.3%. At the free throw line, MNU hit 18 of 27 for 66.7%. Peru State struggled shooting Wednesday night as they made just 22 of 71 field goal tries for 31% and were cooler from three-point distance as they hit just 3 of 19 for 15.8%. The 'Cats also made just 5 of 12 free throws for 41.7%.
 
The Pioneers held a big advantage in terms of rebounding as they grabbed 50 boards compared to just 30 for the 'Cats. MNU doubled up the Bobcats in assists as they had 21 while Peru State dished out just ten.
 
Both teams did struggle controlling the ball as the Bobcats finished with 21 turnovers and MNU had 18. The Pioneers, one of the best shot-blocking teams in the country, blocked seven shots. MidAmerica Nazarene also grabbed 12 steals compared to eight for the 'Cats.
 
Peru Player Statistics
 
Three Bobcats finished in double figures and were led by Silva who finished with 19 points – matching her season best. Cudney and Marsh—Contreras each added ten points.
 
Silva finished with a double-double as she grabbed 11 rebounds. Cudney added six boards.
 
Alcantara dished out five assists while Cudney and Marsh-Contreras were each credited with two. Silva led the team with three steals.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
Peru State will be on the road for their next two contests. They will be heading to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Saturday to face Mount Mercy at 2 p.m. The Mustangs are presently 4-10 overall and are winless in the Heart against eight losses.
 
On Monday, the Bobcats will head to Marshall, Mo., to face Missouri Valley at 7 p.m. The Vikings are 5-8 on the season and are 4-4 in conference play.
 
The Bobcats will be back in action at home on Thursday, Jan. 10, when they host the Benedictine Ravens at 5:30 p.m.