Box Score (Peru, Neb.) – A hot first half by the visiting Evangel Valor propelled the visitors to an eventual 99-80 win over the Peru State women's basketball team.
 
Evangel improved to 9-8 overall and 5-2 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) South Division. The 'Cats fell to 8-8 on the season and 3-4 in the Heart North.
 
First Quarter Action
 
The Bobcats scored first as Julie Miller (Easton, Kan.) hit a jump shot off the assist from Hailey Ingram (Omaha) at the 9:21 mark. After the Valor tied it up, Samantha Stewart (Mount Ayr, Iowa) grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back in as the 'Cats were up 4-2 at that point.
 
Peru State would have its last lead later at 6-5 after Maddy Duncan (Hamburg, Iowa) made a layup with 7:23 on the first quarter clock. The Valor would score seven straight and went on to lead 21-15 at the end of the quarter.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
The Valor would score nine straight to start the quarter before Natasha Deal (Winnebago) made a layup. Evangel would outscore the 'Cats by 15 in the stanza to lead 44-21 at halftime.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
After an early bucket by Evangel, Miller would grab an offensive rebound and put it back in with 9:22 left in the third stanza. The rest of the quarter was evenly played with Maria Alcantara (Recife, Brazil) scoring the last points of the period to make it 73-51 Valor.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
Again the 'Cats would play the Valor tough in the final quarter and actually outscored them 29-26. Libby Baumert (Plattsmouth) hit a trey off the assist from Ingram to start the period. Baumert would also hit a three-pointer to end the game off an assist from Jescenia Mosely (Shenandoah, Iowa).
 
Statistics
 
Both teams actually shot the ball well as Evangel finished hitting 47.8% of their field goals while Peru State made 27-59 for 45.8% which included hitting 8 of 28 from long range for 28.6%. One of the big differences in the game was at the free throw line as the Valor connected on 29 of 32 attempts and the 'Cats made 18 of 30 for 60%.
 
The Bobcats actually outrebounded the Valor as they grabbed 35 compared to 25 for Evangel. The other big difference in the contest was Peru State committed 30 turnovers on which Evangel scored 38 points.
 
Individual Statistics
 
Five Bobcats did finish in double figures as Duncan led the way with 19 points. Miller finished with 14 points while Stewart and Baumert each had 12. Ingram contributed ten points.
 
Miller finished with a double-double as she grabbed ten boards – one more than Stewart.
 
Ingram dished out seven assists while three players were credited with one steal. Miller blocked three shots with Alcantara stopping one.
 
Upcoming Games
 
Peru State will be on the road Wednesday night in Canton, Mo., as they take on Culver-Stockton in a Heart North match-up. The Wildcats are 8-8 on the season and 2-5 in conference play.
 
On Saturday, January 15, the 'Cats will be hosting Heart South opponent Park from Parkville, Mo., at 2 p.m. The Pirates are 7-5 on the year and 1-5 in the South.