(Peru, Neb.) – Although the final score was big, the Peru State women's basketball team challenged the visiting eighth-ranked Central Methodist (Mo.) (CMU) Eagles for the first 18 minutes of the game. After trailing by as many as 14 in the second quarter, the Bobcats pulled back within one with a little over two minutes to go in the first half. But, by the end of the half, CMU led by ten and pulled away in the second half.
 
Central Methodist won 88-55 in the game played in the Al Wheeler Activity Center in Peru on Saturday. CMU improved to 24-2 overall and 18-2 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart). The Bobcats fell to 9-15 on the season and 7-13 in conference play.

 
First Quarter Action
 
A bucket by Dayna Dewitt (Mansfield, Texas) on an assist from Reagan Kirkwood (Valley Falls, Kan.) to put the Bobcats on the scoreboard first. After a trey by the Eagles, Giovanna Silva (Brazilia, Brazil) put the 'Cats up by one. Kirkwood followed with a trey on an assist from Alyssa Marsh-Contreras (Omaha) to give Peru State its largest lead of the game at 7-3 with 7:07 to go in the first ten minutes.
 
After the game was tied at ten, the Eagles scored nine straight points before Dewitt stopped the run with a bucket off an assist from Silva. CMU would end the quarter with a 4-0 run to lead 24-12.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
CMU started with a bucket to stretch their lead to 14 to start the quarter. The Bobcats would get a trey from Kirkwood and then a bucket by Nytasia Braxton (Camden, N.J.) to cut the deficit to five at 26-17 with 7:42 left in the half.
 
Peru State would continue to work away on the Eagle lead and with 2:36 to go in the half, Claire Cudney (Marysville, Kan.) grabbed her own miss and put it back it to make it 30-29. Unfortunately, for the 'Cats, CMU would finish the half with an 11-2 run to lead 41-31 at the end of 20 minutes.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Central Methodist would score the first six points of the second half before Marsh-Contreras got a trey to stop the run. The Eagles would lead by as many as 23 before a trey by Marsh-Contreras, off an assist from Braxton, ended the quarter with CMU leading 65-45.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
The Eagles would outscore Peru State 23-10 in the final stanza in route to their 88-55 win.

CENTRAL METHODIST GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
The Eagles led in all shooting categories during the game. They made 37 of 80 field goals for 46.3% including hitting 9 of 27 from long range for 33.3%. At the charity stripe, CMU made 5 of 7 for 71.4%. Peru State connected on 20 of 82 for 24.4% and were slightly better from long range hitting 6 of 23 for 26.1%. At the free throw line, the Bobcats went 9 of 13 for 69.2%.

 
The much taller Central Methodist squad grabbed just eight more rebounds than Peru State as they finished with 50. The Eagles doubled up the 'Cats in assists as they finished with 26.
 
Both teams had more turnovers than desired as CMU finished with 19 while the Bobcats had 20 miscues. The Eagles blocked seven shots while Peru State blocked five. Central Methodist grabbed 15 steals compared to seven for the 'Cats.
 
Peru Individual Statistics
 
Two Bobcats finished in double figures with Dewitt finishing with 11 and Marsh-Contreras adding ten. Kirkwood added nine while Cudney finished with eight.
 
Cudney led all rebounders as she grabbed 12 boards. Silva and Dewitt each finished with seven rebounds.
 
Kirkwood dished out five assists while Marsh-Contreras handed out three. Braxton contributed two assists.
 
Dewitt and Olivia Bell (Auckland, N.Z.) each had two blocks while Cudney added one.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
The Bobcats will be playing two contests on the road this coming week. On Wednesday, they will be in Atchison, Kansas, to face Benedictine, at 5:30 p.m. The Ravens are 16-10 overall and are 10-10 in the Heart.
 
On Saturday, the 'Cats will be heading to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to take on Mount Mercy at 2 p.m. The Mustangs are 5-20 on the season and are 2-18 in conference play.
 
Peru State's final two games of the regular season will be at home. On Wednesday, February 26, they will host Graceland (Iowa) at 5:30 p.m. On Saturday, February 29, William Penn (Iowa) will be the opponent at 2 p.m. On the 29^th, the Bobcat seniors will be recognized.