(Peru, Neb.) – The number eight team in the NAIA showed why it had the ranking Saturday afternoon in the Al Wheeler Activity Center in Peru, Neb.
 
The Clarke (Iowa) Pride topped Peru State in women's basketball 89-47 in Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) action to improve to 13-1 overall and 9-1 in the Heart North Division. Peru State fell to 4-12 overall and 2-9 in conference action.
 
First Quarter Action
 
The Pride scored seven points to open the quarter before Samantha Stewart (Mount Ayr, Iowa) stole the ball and took it to the hoop for two. Clarke would continue to extend its lead and eventually led at the end of the first ten minutes 25-9.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Clarke scored the first six points of the second ten minutes before Maddy Duncan (Hamburg, Iowa) hit a bucket in the paint with 6:45 on the clock. The Pride would continue to increase their lead to 23 at the end of the half at 44-21.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Peru State would play the Pride close in the third quarter which started with a Dayna Dewitt (Mansfield, Texas) bucket with just 22 seconds off the clock.
 
The Bobcats scored 16 in the quarter while the Pride put up 20 to led 64-37 at the end of three periods.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
The Pride scored seven to start the fourth quarter before Libby Baumert (Plattsmouth) hit a bucket off an assist from Adreal Bell (Independence, Mo.). Clarke would continue to have a hot-shooting night and finished with the 89-47 win.

CLARKE GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
Clarke was hot from the floor as they hit 34 of 63 field goals for 54% which included hitting 8 of 18 from long range for 44.4%. At the free throw line, the Pride went 13 of 20 for 65%. Peru State had one of its toughest shooting nights as they connected on 18 of 59 for 30.5% and only made 1 of 12 from beyond the arc for 8.3%. The 'Cats also had one of its poorest-shooting nights at the free throw line making just 10 of 21 for 47.6%.
 
The much-taller Pride held a big rebounding edge as they grabbed 44 rebounds compared to 24 for the Bobcats. Clarke finished with 15 assists compared to six for Peru State.
 
Clarke actually finished with one more turnover than the 'Cats as they had 14. The Pride blocked four shots and grabbed four steals. Peru State had seven steals.
 
Peru Individual Statistics
 
Dayna Dewitt was the only Bobcat who finished in double figures as she had 16 points. Stewart, Baumert, and Ellie Bream (Waverly) each added six points.
 
Julie Miller (Easton, Kan.) led the team with six rebounds while Jescenia Mosely (Shenandoah, Iowa) added four.
 
Bell dished out three assists while Mosely handed out two.
 
Stewart led the team with three steals with four others each nabbing one.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
Peru State will be on the road Wednesday night when they travel to Parkville, Mo., to face league-newcomer Park at 5:30 p.m. The Pirates are 1-13 overall and are 0-13 in the conference.
 
The Bobcats will not play next Saturday due to COVID-19 hitting the Mount Mercy team. The 'Cats will be back in action on Wednesday, January 27, at 5:30 p.m., when they host Central Methodist (Mo.) at 5:30 p.m. The Eagles are presently 7-5 on the season and 6-5 in the Heart South.