(Peru, Neb.) – A strong second quarter by the visiting Evangel Crusaders women's basketball team helped propel the Missourians to a win over Peru State.
 
The game was tied after the first quarter, but Evangel outscored the 'Cats 22-8 in the second quarter as pulled away for the eventual 69-48 win.
 
Evangel improved to 13-10 overall on the season and to 8-10 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). The Bobcats fell to 2-20 on the year and are now 1-17 in conference play.

 
First Quarter Action
 
After the Crusaders hit a trey to start the game, Allison Tichy (Bellevue) hit a three-pointer to tie it off an assist from Brooke Maeda (Honolulu) at the 6:01 mark. Keaundra Washington (Omaha) then hit a trey to put the 'Cats up 6-3. Later Peru State would increase its lead to five at 10-5 after Giovanna Silva (Brazilia, Brazil) hit a layup off an assist from Maeda. Evangel would close out the quarter with five points to tie the game at 10-10 after the first ten minutes.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Evangel score a bucket with just 24 seconds off the clock to start the second stanza. Washington would hit another trey to give the Bobcats what would be their last lead in the contest at 13-12. The Crusaders would go on a 20-5 run to finish off the quarter to lead 32-18 at halftime.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Peru State would not be out of it at the start of the third period. With 5:18 on the clock, Tichy would hit a field goal off an assist from Daspin Bruning (Everest, Kan.) to pull the 'Cats within eight at 34-26. The Crusaders would then outscore the Bobcats 11-7 to take a 45-30 lead after 30 minutes of play.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
Evangel would increase its lead to 20 at 50-30 before Tichy would hit a trey to make it 50-33 with 8:11 in the contest. The Crusaders would pretty much maintain a 20-point advantage for the majority of the fourth quarter. The closest the 'Cats would come would be at 60-44 after Maria Alcantara (Recife, Brazil) hit a three-pointer off an assist from Washington. Evangel would finish the game on a 9-4 run to win 69-48.

EVANGEL GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Neither team shot the ball well in the contest. Evangel made 21 of 66 field goals for 31.8% including hitting 3 of 14 from long range for 21.4%. At the free throw line, the Crusaders made 24 of 38 for 63.2%. Peru State made just 15 of 65 field goals for 23.1% and actually shot better from distance making 6 of 23 for 26.1%. At the charity stripe, the Bobcats hits 12 of 17 for 70.6%.

 
The 'Cats did outrebound Evangel 47 to 44, but committed nearly twice as many turnovers as their opponents. Peru State had 19 miscues compared to ten for the visitors. Evangel doubled up the 'Cats on assists as they finished with 12.
 
Peru State blocked five shots while the Crusaders had three shots. Evangel grabbed 14 steals compared to five for the 'Cats.
 
Peru Player Statistics
 
Silva was the only Bobcat to finish in double figures in scoring as she had 11. Washington added nine while Tichy finished with eight.
 
Silva completed a double-double on the night as she had a game-high 15 rebounds. Anjanea Simms (St. Louis, Mo.) grabbed nine boards with Alcantara adding seven.
 
Simms was credited with three blocked shots while Washington and Silva each blocked one. Maeda led the team with two steals.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
Peru State will have a pair of games on the road before playing again in the Al Wheeler Activity Center.
 
On Wednesday, Feb. 6, the Bobcats will be playing in Olathe, Kan., facing MidAmerica Nazarene at 5:30 p.m. The Pioneers are 19-4 overall and 16-3 in the Heart. MNU is currently ranked sixth in the NAIA.
 
Saturday, Feb. 9, will find Peru State in Canton, Mo., where they will take on Culver-Stockton at 2 p.m. The Wildcats, the only team the Bobcats have beaten in Heart play, are 14-10 on the season and 10-9 in Heart action.