(Peru, Neb.) – On Saturday, Dec. 4, the Peru State women's basketball won their third Heart of America Athletic (Heart) Conference game of the year after beating Graceland University 68-40.
 
The 'Cats improved to 8-5 overall and 3-1 in the Heart while the Yellowjackets fell to 3-7 overall and 1-2 in conference play.
 
1^st Quarter
 
Graceland would score first with a three before the Bobcats would score four straight with buckets by Maddy Duncan (Hamburg, Iowa) and Hailey Ingram (Omaha) off the pass from Samantha Stewart (Mount Ayr, Iowa). Peru State led 4-3 with 8:23 left.
 
The lead would change once again as Graceland make a three to lead 6-4 with 7:43 remaining in the quarter.
 
At the 2:26 mark, the 'Cats led 15-8 after a made layup from Ingram. After the first ten minutes of play the Bobcat hold the lead at 15-10.
 
2^nd Quarter
 
Peru State would score first off a made jumper from Jescenia Mosely (Shenandoah, Iowa) as the lead would be seven at 17-10. The Yellowjackets scored a two pointer but the 'Cats came right with a three from Lycia Peevy (Paris, Ark.) off the assist from Julie Miller (Easton, Kan.). That made the score 20-12 with 5:39 remaining in the half.
 
Mosley made a jumper at the 4:15 mark to give Peru State its first ten-point lead in the game at 22-12. The lead would be extended after Stewart made a layup as the 'Cats led 24-12.
 
Peru State would go into halftime with a 14-point lead at 30-16 after 20 minutes of basketball had been played.
 
3^rd Quarter
 
Peevy scored the first two points of the second half as the score would be 32-16 in favor of the Bobcats.
 
The Bobcats would see their first 20-point lead after Duncan made a three off the pass from Stewart at the 5:58 mark.
 
At the 2:35 mark, Peru State led by 23 points after Natasha Deal (Winnebago) made a free throw. The Bobcats would end the third quarter with a 51-33 lead over the Yellowjackets after 30 minutes.
 
4^th Quarter
 
Peru State would start the quarter with two free throws by Ingram as the lead would get back up to 20 points. Ingram would go back to the line and knock down both free throws to make the score 55-33 with 8:15 left in the game.
 
The 'Cats would see a 32-point lead in the game after a made three from Duncan off the assist from Mosely. The score read 67-35 with 3:36 on the clock.
 
Peru State would go on to win their eighth game of the year and third game in conference play 68-40.
 
Stats
 
The Bobcats shot 24-59 for 40.7% which included 8-22 from long distance for 36.4%. At the free throw line, Peru State made 12-17 for 70.6%.
 
Ingram led the team in scoring with 21 points with 3-4 from three. Mosely added 14 points off the bench while shooting 6-9 from the field. Duncan and Peevy each added nine points.
 
Peevy added eight rebounds which led the team while Stewart had seven and Miller added six.
 
Mosely had three assists in the game which would lead the Bobcats. Duncan, Peevy, Stewart each had two assists in the game.
 
Stewart added eight steals while Peevy and Duncan each had three steals.
 
Miller led the team with two blocks while Peevy added one.
 
Upcoming Game
 
Peru State will be back at home on Dec. 11 hosting Grand View University (7-2, 2-0). The tip-off of the conference game with the Vikings who are receiving votes in the most recent NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll, is scheduled for 2 p.m.