(Peru, Neb.) – After a close first quarter, the home-standing Grand View Vikings made nearly 58% of their field goals to blow open their game with the Peru State women's basketball team Wednesday night.
 
The Vikings led 22-16 after ten minutes but then out-scored Peru State 29-7 in the second stanza for a 28-point halftime lead. Grand View went on to win 94-49 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) North Division match-up.
 
With the win, Grand View, who is receiving votes in the NAIA Women's Basketball Top 25 Coaches' Poll, improved to 12-3 on the season and 8-2 in the Heart North. The Bobcats fell to 4-11 on the year and 2-8 in the North Division.
 
First Quarter Action
 
The first quarter went back and forth as there were seven lead changes. Maddy Duncan (Hamburg, Iowa) scored the first points of the contest with a trey off an assist Julie Miller (Lansing, Kan.).
 
The teams would trade leads before Grand View would eventually take the lead for good at 10-9 with 4:36 on the clock. The Vikings would go up by five before Duncan hit another trey, off an assist from Samantha Stewart (Mount Ayr, Iowa), to pull Peru State within two at 14-12 at the 3:20 mark.

 
The quarter would end with Grand View leading 22-16.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Grand View would score the first seven points of the quarter before Duncan hit another three, this time off an assist from Kristian Dewitt (Mansfield, Texas) at the 6:32 mark.
 
The Vikings would later outscore the Bobcats 13-0 to end the half leading 51-23.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Grand View scored the first five points of the third quarter before Mackenzie Shupe (Lenexa, Kan.) hit a bucket at the 7:42 mark. The Vikings then went on a 10-0 run to go up 66-25 before Ellie Bream (Waverly) stopped the run with a bucket off an assist from Jescenia Mosely (Shenandoah, Iowa).
 
The Vikings would lead 77-35 at the end of 30 minutes.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
Adreal Bell (Independence, Mo.) scored the opening bucket of the fourth quarter for the Bobcats. Peru State would stay within three of the Vikings in the quarter as Grand View outscored the 'Cats 17-14.

GRAND VIEW GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
The Vikings made 38 of 68 field goals for 55.9% which included hitting 9 of 26 from long range for 34.6%. At the free throw line, Grand View went 9 of 11 for 81.8%. Peru State connected on 20 of 65 field goals for 30.8% while making 3 of 14 from distance for 21.4%. The Bobcats hit 6 of 8 from the charity stripe.
 
Grand View had a huge rebounding edge as they grabbed 47 rebounds compared to 30 for the 'Cats. The Vikings tripled up the Bobcats in assists as they dished out 20 while Peru State finished with just six.
 
Peru State turned the ball over 16 times while Grand View had 12 miscues. The Vikings blocked six shots compared to three for the 'Cats. Grand View nabbed 12 steals while the Bobcats had seven.
 
Peru Individual Statistics

 
Duncan was the only Bobcat to finish in double figures as she had 13 points on 5 of 7 shooting which included 3 of 4 from long range. Dayna Dewitt (Mansfield, Texas), Miller, Stewart, and Bream all finished with six points.
 
Dayna Dewitt, Miller, and Stewart each grabbed five rebounds.
 
Kristian Dewitt dished out two assists while Dayna Dewitt, Miller, Stewart, and Mosely were each credited with one.
 
Miller blocked two shots while Shupe was credited with one.
 
Stewart and Kristian Dewitt led the team with two steals apiece.
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will host a higher-ranked opponent on Saturday when Clarke (Iowa) visits the Al Wheeler Activity Center at noon. The Pride moved up to eighth in the coaches' poll on Tuesday. Clarke is now 12-1 on the season having won 11 in a row. The Pride is 8-1 in the Heart North.
 
The Bobcats will then travel to Park in Parkville, Mo., on January 20 at 5:30 p.m. The Pirates are newcomers to the league this year and are 1-12 overall and 0-12 in the conference.
 
It was just learned at the time of this press release that the January 23 home contest with Mount Mercy will have to be postponed as the Mustangs are entering COVID-19 quarantine and will have to reschedule their next five contests.