(Peru, Neb.) – The Peru State women's basketball team earned a Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) road win beating Mount Mercy University 69-49 Wednesday, December 1, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
 
The Bobcats improved to 7-5 overall and 2-1 in the Heart while the Mustangs fell to 2-6 on the year and 1-1 in the conference.
 
The seventh win for the 'Cats early in the season bests last year's total overall wins of six.
 
1^st Quarter
 
The 'Cats would score the first five points of the quarter off a Lycia Peevy (Paris, Ark.) made layup and a three-pointer as they led 5-0. The Mustangs made two free throws at the 8:01 mark to stop the Peru State run.
 
At the 7:38 mark Maria Alcantara (Recife, Brazil) made a layup off the assist from Hailey Ingram (Omaha) as Peru State led 7-2.
 
Mount Mercy would end the quarter on a 11-6 run to tie the game at 13 all as the quarter would end.
 
2^nd Quarter
 
The Bobcats started the quarter on a 9-0 run off Peevy made layup and three-pointer off the assist from Ingram. Samanatha Stewart (Mount Ayr, Iowa) hit a field goal and Ingram connected on a jumper as the lead would be 22-13 in favor of the Bobcats.
 
Peru State would see their first ten-point lead in the game after a made jumper by Jescenia Mosely (Shenandoah, Iowa) off the assist from Adreal Bell (Independence, Mo.) with the score at 27-17 with 5:40 left until intermission.
 
The Bobcats outscored the Mustangs 26-10 in the quarter to take a halftime lead 39-23.
 
3^rd Quarter
 
Peru State started the second half with a made bucket from Stewart off the pass from Peevy as the 'Cats led 41-23.
 
At the 5:12 mark the Bobcats led 46-27 after a made field goal by Mosely off the pass from Peevy.
 
Peru State led by 21 points after Stewart made a field goal off the assist from Libby Baumert (Plattsmouth) with the score at 50-29 with 2:12 remaining in the quarter.
 
After 30 minutes of basketball had been played the Bobcats led the Mustangs 57-33.
 
4^th Quarter
 
Mount Mercy scored the first four points of the game before Baumert connected on a three off the assist from Stewart as the score would be 59-37 with 8:45 remaining.
 
Although the Mustangs outscored the 'Cats to end the game, Peru State prevailed for their second Heart win of the year.
 
Stats
 
Peru State shot 29-71 for 40.8% which included 5-12 from 41.7%. At the charity stripe, the Bobcats made 6-11 for 54.5%.
 
Stewart led the 'Cats in scoring with 15 while Peevy added 14 and Baumert contributed 12 off the bench.
 
Peevy had nine rebounds for a team high as Mosley and Ingram both added six.
 
Peevy also led the team with four assists while Bell had three.
 
Stewart finished with three steals while Ingram and Mosley added two steals each.
 
Peevy blocked four shots and Stewart added one block of her own.
 
Upcoming Game
 
Peru State will be back at home on Dec. 4, for a conference match-up with Graceland University (3-6, 0-1). Tip-off is schedule for 2 p.m.
 
The Peru Association of Student Athletes (PASA) will be doing a toy and food drive for the game. Three food items will get one free entry to the game while one toy will get one free entry into the game.