(Peru, Neb.) – The biggest difference in the Halloween-night opener for the Peru State women's basketball team was that they had twice as many turnovers as the home team. And it proved to doom the Bobcats' hopes as the home-standing Hastings Broncos won 87-60 Thursday night.
 
The NAIA DII's 18^th-ranked team improved to 2-0 on the season while Peru State fell to 0-1 in the non-conference game.
 
First Quarter Action
 

The first points of the 2019-20 season were scored by Alyssa Marsh-Contreras (Bellevue) as she hit a bucket to give Peru State a 2-0 lead. After the Broncos scored on a free throw, Maddy McPhillips (Omaha) hit a bucket and the 'Cats had what would be their largest lead of the game at 4-1. Hastings would tie it up with a three-pointer and then went up 8-4 with 7:41 left in the quarter.
 
A two-pointer was hit by Dayna Dewitt (Mansfield, Texas) in the paint to cut the lead to 8-6. Marsh-Contreras would nail a trey to put Peru State up 9-8 at the 6:35 mark. That would be the last time the Bobcats would lead in the contest as the Broncos rattled off seven straight points to lead 15-9.
 
Hastings would lead 23-15 at the end of the first quarter.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
The Broncos would extend their lead to 27-15 before Brooke Maeda (Honolulu) would hit a pair of free throws. Giovanna Silva (Brazilia, Brazil) would add a bucket and the Bobcats were back within single digits at 27-19 with 8:31 left in the first half.
 
A five-point run gave Hastings a double-digit lead – one they would not relinquish the rest of the way. The Broncos would lead 48-31 at halftime.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Hastings would score the first 11 points out of the halftime break to lead 59-31 before Daspin Bruning (Everest, Kan.) would hit a pair of free throws to get the 'Cats on the board in the second half.
 
The closest Peru State would get in the quarter would be at 63-39 after Maria Alcantara (Recife, Brazil) hit a bucket in the paint on an assist from Marsh-Contreras with 2:42 left in the quarter.
 
The Broncos would lead 66-40 after 30 minutes.

 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
With 8:43 left in the game, Marsh-Contreras hit a three-pointer off an assist from Alcantara to make it 68-45. Hastings would eventually lead by as many as 30 at 78-48 with just under four minutes left in the game.
 
Peru State would be as close as 22 at 82-60 after Marsh-Contreras hit another three-pointer, but Hastings would close with five points for the 87-60 win.

HASTINGS GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Hastings made 35 of 75 field goals for 46.7% which included hitting 2 of 18 from long range for 11.1%. At the free throw line, the Broncos made 15 of 24 tries for 62.5%. Peru State connected on 19 of 57 field goals for 33.3% and were better than Hastings at long range making 4 of 20 for 20%. The 'Cats also were better than Hastings at the charity stripe making 18 of 24 for 75%.
 
Peru State outrebounded the Broncos by three as they grabbed 39. Hastings dished out 17 assists compared to five for the 'Cats. As noted earlier, the biggest difference in the contest were the turnovers as the Bobcats had 27 while Hastings finished with just 13.
 
Neither team was credited with a blocked shot while Hastings tripled up the 'Cats in steals as they finished with 15.
 
Peru Statistics
 
Marsh-Contreras led all scorers with 24 points which included making 7 of 14 field goals for 50%. Silva, McPhillips, and Dewitt each finished with six points.

 
Silva had a game-high ten rebounds while Anjanea Simms (St. Louis, Mo.) grabbed seven. Dewitt and Alcantara each added six.
 
Marsh-Contreras dished out two assists while McPhillips, Simms, and Alcantara were each credited with one. Dewitt led the team with two steals with Maeda, Marsh-Contreras, and Allison Tichy (Bellevue) each adding one.
 
Junior Varsity Result
 
The Broncos also topped Peru State in a junior varsity game which was played prior to the varsity contest. Hastings won 73-56. Reagan Kirkwood (Valley Falls, Kan.) led the team with a game-high 24 points. Kathyann Frese (Bayomon, P.R.) added ten points.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
Peru State will play two non-conference games next week on the road in Kansas. On Tuesday, the Bobcats will be in Leavenworth, Kan., facing the University of St. Mary at 7 p.m. The Spires will open their season tonight and tomorrow against Bobcat conference colleagues Baker (Kan.) and Benedictine (Kan.).
 
On Friday, Nov. 8, the 'Cats will be in Parkville, Mo., facing Park University at 7 p.m. The Pirates also open their season tonight.
 
Peru State's first home will be Saturday, Nov. 16, when they will face Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) opponent Culver-Stockton (Mo.) at 4 p.m. It will be a "Cans for Cabinet" game and there will also be a pulled pork supper available for all fans for a ticket price or free-will donation.