(Peru, Neb.) – The MidAmerica Nazarene (MNU) Pioneers outscored the visiting Bobcat women's basketball team by 18 in the second half. With the strong second half, the Pioneers topped Peru State 73-64 in Olathe, Kan., Thursday night.
 
The 'Cats had led MNU 38-31 at halftime in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) match-up, but could not hold off the Pioneers in the second half.
 
MidAmerica Nazarene, who are receiving votes in the most recent NAIA DI coaches' poll, improved to 11-6 overall and are now 10-4 in the Heart. They are presently tied for fourth in the conference race. Peru State fell to 8-12 overall and are now 6-10 in conference place. Currently, the Bobcats are ninth in the 13-team league.
 
First Quarter Action
 
Reagan Kirkwood (Valley Falls, Kan.) scored the first points of the game in the paint at the 8:55 mark. The quarter was tight throughout as there were four lead changes. Peru State had the largest lead of the stanza at four when they lead 10-6 after Claire Cudney hit a bucket in the paint with 5:12 left in the quarter.

 
The Pioneers would eventually lead 19-17 at the end of the first ten minutes.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Cudney would start the quarter by making one of two free throws to cut the lead to one. Giovanna Silva (Brazilia, Brazil) would get a bucket in the paint off an assist from Alyssa Marsh-Contreras (Omaha) to give the Bobcats the lead at 20-19. Marsh-Contreras would then follow with back-to-back buckets to extend the lead to five at 24-19.
 
After the Pioneers hit a trey, Kirkwood countered with two of her own – the second one off assist from Marsh-Contreras. With 7:39 left in the half, Peru State had jumped to a 30-22 lead.
 
MNU would go on a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to one, but the Bobcats would respond. Silva had back-to-back buckets and then Marsh-Contreras hit a pair of free throw and the 'Cats were up 36-29 with 3:19 to go in the first 20 minutes.
 
After a free throw by the Pioneers, Cudney hit a bucket in the paint on an assist from Silva to give the 'Cats an eight-point lead. MNU would hit one free throw before the half ended with the Bobcats leading 38-31.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Peru State was able to maintain the lead in the third quarter for the first half of it until MNU fought back to take a 45-44 lead with 4:55 to go in the period.

 
By the end of 30 minutes, the Pioneers led 51-48.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
The Pioneers exploded to begin the final quarter with 13 straight points and were up 64-48 with 6:25 left in the contest. Silva would make one of two free throws to stop the run.
 
That 13-0 run proved to be too much for the Bobcats to overcome, but they did fight back to get within nine at 69-60 after Marsh-Contreras hit a pair of free throws. That would be as close as the 'Cats would get.

MIDAMERICA NAZARENE GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
The Pioneers held the shooting advantage from the floor as they made 27 of 61 for 44.3% which included making 6 of 18 from behind the arc for 33.3%. MNU did struggle slightly at the free throw line making 14 of 26 for 53.8%. Peru State connected on 24 of 67 field goals for 35.8% while struggling from long range making just 3 of 16 for 18.8%. At the free throw line, the Bobcats made 12 of 17 for 70.6%.
 
Peru State did have a rebounding edge as they grabbed 50 boards compared to 37 for the Pioneers. MNU more than tripled up the 'Cats in assists as they finished with 17 while the Bobcats had five.
 
The 'Cats did have trouble handling the ball as they committed 17 turnovers while the Pioneers had eight. MNU blocked five shots on the night and had eight steals. Peru State grabbed five steals.
 
Peru Individual Statistics
 
The Bobcats had three finish in double digits in scoring. Marsh-Contreras led the team with 19 points while Silva and Kirkwood each had 13. Cudney was one shy of double figures.

 
Silva had a game-high 13 boards to have another double-double. Marsh-Contreras needed just one more rebound for a double-double while Cudney grabbed seven.
 
Marsh-Contreras dished out three assists. Dayna Dewitt (Mansfield, Texas) and Marsh-Contreras each grabbed two steals.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
The Bobcats have one more Heart contest this week before having a little break before heading into the final three weeks of conference play.
 
Peru State will make its long trip to Dubuque, Iowa, on Saturday to face Clarke at noon. The 21^st-ranked Pride have won three in a row and are 18-4 overall and are 12-4 in the conference – presently in second place.
 
The 'Cats will then be off for a week before hosting Evangel (Mo.) on February 8 at 2 p.m. The Crusaders are 12-8 on the year having won four in a row and have improved to 10-5 in the Heart. That contest will be the College's Foundation's National Alumni Association Annual Chili Feed. In addition, the Fantastic Flyers will perform and fall student-athletes will be recognized.