(Peru, Neb.) – It is tough to beat a team playing on their home court. But, it is even tougher when the team shoots better than 50% from the floor and even better from long range.
 
That was what happened Monday night as the Peru State women's basketball team faced William Penn (WPU) in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The Statesmen, who are receiving votes in the most recent NAIA DI coaches' poll, topped the Bobcats 77-62.
 
With the win, William Penn improved to 11-4 overall and 7-3 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). The 'Cats fell to 5-9 on the season and 3-7 in conference play.

 
First Quarter Action
 
WPU jumped out to a 6-0 lead before Reagan Kirkwood (Valley Center, Kan.) hit a trey to cut the lead in half which came off an assist from Nytasia Braxton (N.J.). Claire Cudney (Marysville, Kan.) followed with a bucket in the paint to make it 6-5. With 5:55 left in the first quarter, Giovanna Silva (Brazilia, Brazil) made one of two free throws to tie it up at 6 apiece.
 
The Bobcats would continue their run as Braxton would give the Bobcats the lead with a hoop on an assist from Alyssa Marsh-Contreras (Omaha). Braxton would then get another assist from Marsh-Contreras and would extend Peru State's lead to five with a trey.
 
The Statesmen would then go on an 8-0 run of their own to lead 14-11. With 20 seconds left in the first ten minutes, Kirkwood was fouled shooting one from long range and connected on all three to tie the game at 14-14 at the end of the quarter.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Marsh-Contreras gave Peru State the lead to begin the second quarter with a bucket. Silva would hit a pair of free throws to extend the lead to 18-14 at the 9:07 mark. After WPU hit a bucket, Kirkwood drained one from long range on an assist from Cudney.
 
The Bobcats would hold the lead until 3:05 left in the half when William Penn tied it at 27. It was also tied at 28 before the Statesmen scored nine-straight points to go up 37-28. Olivia Bell (Auckland, New Zealand) would make one of two free throws to end the first half with WPU leading 37-29.
 
Third Quarter Action

 
Cudney started the third quarter with a bucket after grabbing an offensive rebound and putting it back in. The six-point deficit would be as close as the Bobcats would be in the quarter as the Statesmen outscored Peru State 24-17. William Penn would lead 61-46 after 30 minutes.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
Braxton would nail a trey to start the final stanza on an assist from Cudney and then returned the favor to Cudney would put in a hoop. Peru State had cut the lead to ten at 61-51 at the 9:05 mark. That would be as close as the 'Cats would get as the teams would play even for the quarter and go on to a 77-62 win.

WILLIAM PENN GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
The Statesmen made 29 of 55 field goals for 52.7% which included an even better percentage from long range as they made 7 of 12 for 58.3%. At the free throw line, WPU went 12 of 15 for 80%. The Bobcats hit 22 of 67 from the floor for 32.8% and were slightly better from behind the arc as they hit 7 of 20 for 35%. At the charity stripe, the 'Cats were 11 of 21 for 52.4%.
 
Peru State did have an edge in rebounding as they grabbed 40 boards compared to 34 for WPU. The Statesmen dished out one more assist than the 'Cats as they finished with 15.
 
William Penn had 13 turnovers with Peru State finishing with 15. WPU blocked four shots while the Bobcats had one. The Statesmen finished with seven steals – three more than the 'Cats.
 
Peru Individual Statistics
 
Three Bobcats finished in double figures as the two freshmen – Braxton and Kirkwood – led the team with 13 each. Cudney finished with 12.

 
Cudney had a game-high 12 rebounds while Silva added ten.
 
Cudney, Braxton, Marsh-Contreras each dished out three assists while Maddy McPhillips (Omaha) handed out two.
 
Silva was credited for the lone block. Dayna Dewitt (Mansfield, Texas) led the team with three steals with Braxton credited for the other steal.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
Peru State will be at home Wednesday night and then on the road for three straight. The Bobcats will host Benedictine (Kan.) beginning at 5:30 p.m. The Ravens, who are receiving votes, are 12-4 overall and 6-4 in the Heart having dropped two straight games.
 
The Bobcats will then be on the road Saturday as they head to Lamoni, Iowa, to face Graceland at 2 p.m. The Yellowjackets are 3-13 overall and are winless in conference play having dropped all ten contests.
 
The 'Cats will not be back home until Monday, January 27, when they host Baker (Kan.).