(Peru, Neb.) – After playing one of their better ballgames Wednesday night, the Peru State women's basketball team fell flat Saturday in Springfield, Mo. The host Evangel Crusaders topped the Bobcats 90-46 in a Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) cross-division match-up.
 
With the win, the Crusaders improved to 11-7 on the season and 9-6 in the Heart South. The 'Cats fell to 4-14 overall and 2-11 in the Heart North.

 
First Quarter Action
 
The Crusaders scored the first six points of the game before Kristian Dewitt (Mansfield, Texas) got a steal and then scored the hoop with 8:14 on the clock. Evangel would score another ten points before Dewitt's sister Dayna hit a trey off an assist from Julie Miller (Easton, Kan.). Evangel would eventually lead 24-5 at the end of the first ten minutes.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Evangel scored the first five points of the second ten minutes before Dayna Dewitt hit a bucket in the paint at the 7:53 mark. The Crusaders would extend their lead to 27 at the halftime break leading 44-17.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
Peru State did come out of the locker room with a little more fire. Mackenzie Shupe (Lenexa, Kan.) hit a bucket in the paint with just nine seconds gone off an assist from D. Dewitt. K. Dewitt followed with a bucket in the paint and then Maddy Duncan (Hamburg, Iowa) hit a trey off an assist from K. Dewitt. That would be as close as the Bobcats would be trailing by 20. The Crusaders would lead 68-37 after 30 minutes of play.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 

Evangel would outscore the Bobcats 22 to 9 in the final period in route to their 90-46 win.

EVANGEL GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
 
The Crusaders were hot from the floor as they made 37 of 79 field goals for 46.8% which included hitting 8 of 22 from long range for 36.4%. At the free throw line, Evangel made 8 of 10 for 80%. After a cold first half, the Bobcats did shoot better in the second 20 minutes. Peru State made 20 of 58 on the evening for 34.5% which included hitting 4 of 12 from behind the arc for 33.3%. The 'Cats only went to the line four times making two for 50%.
 
Evangel had a big edge in rebounding as they grabbed 46 boards compared to 34 for the 'Cats. The Crusaders dished out 19 assists while Peru State finished with 15.
 
The biggest challenge for the Bobcats was taking care of the ball as they finished with 28 turnovers while Evangel had 12. Peru State blocked four shots and the Crusaders blocked three. Evangel tripled up on steals as they finished with 15.
 
Peru Individual Statistics
 
No Bobcat finished in double digits in scoring. D. Dewitt and Duncan each finished with nine while Abbey Wisdom (Holton, Kan.) scored seven while playing in her first varsity collegiate experience.
 
Miller led the team with seven rebounds while Duncan grabbed five.
 
D. Dewitt, K. Dewitt, Adreal Bell (Springfield, Mo.), Libby Baumert (Plattsmouth), and Miller each dished out two assists.

 
K. Dewitt, Shupe, Bell, and Miller each were credited with one block.
 
K. Dewitt led the team with two steals.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
Peru State will have a busy week with little time for rest as they will play on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
 
On Monday, the 'Cats host Central Methodist (Mo.) at 5:30 p.m. The Eagles have won six in a row and are now 12-5 on the season and are 11-5 in the Heart South.
 
Wednesday night, Peru State will host Missouri Valley at 5:30 p.m. The Vikings are 9-12 overall and 6-11 in the Heart South.
 
Then, on Friday night, the Bobcats will be back in Parkville, Mo., where they will finish their game with Park which was suspended due to a positive test being identified on the Bobcat team. Park is presently 3-16 on the year and 2-16 in the Heart South.