(Peru, Neb.)—The Peru State Women's Basketball team fell to No. 8 Clarke 73-51 in Dubuque, Iowa on Saturday afternoon. The Bobcats fall to 6-11 overall and 2-9 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play while the Pride improve to 15-2 overall and 9-2 in conference play.
 
Below is a breakdown of how the game went…
 
It was a slow start for both teams as Clarke had a slim 6-2 lead with five minutes to go in the first quarter. The only points for Peru State came from a Danielle Howard (Uniontown, Kan.) jump shot.
 
The Bobcats later in the first quarter would cut the lead down to four after Madison Camden (Glenwood, Iowa) drilled a three as the Bobcats would trail 9-5. The Pride then went on a 8-0 run to extend their lead out to ten leading 15-5.
 
Peru State only trailed by eight points going into the second quarter after Jescenia Mosley (Shenandoah, Iowa) hit a jumper with about 15 seconds to go to make the score 17-9.
 
The Pride opened up the second quarter going on a 16-4 run to take a sizable 29-13 lead halfway through the second quarter. Natasha Deal (Winnebago) knocked down a couple of free throws to stop the run making the score 29-15.
 
Clarke finished the first half on a 10-4 run to take a 18-point, 39-21, lead heading into the halftime break.
 
Both teams struggled out of the gate to score in the second half, the Bobcats were still trailing by 18 points, 43-25, after Howard knocked down a couple of free throws with a little under eight minutes to play in the third quarter.
 
The Pride then went on a 10-2 run to take a 53-27 lead with under five minutes to play in the quarter. The Bobcats then went on a 7-2 run to make the score 55-34 after a three-pointer from Maddy Duncan (Hamburg, Iowa).
 
Clarke finished the quarter on a 6-0 run to take a 27-point lead, 61-34, lead going into the final quarter of play.
 
The Bobcats started out the fourth quarter on a quick 6-2 run as they now trailed 63-40. Contributing to the run were baskets by Deal and Kaylan Larry (Little Rock, Ark.).
 
Clarke then went on a 10-2 run to put the game completely out of reach as they led 73-42 with under four minutes to play in the game.
 
The Bobcats ended the game on a 8-0 run but the Bobcats fell to the Pride 73-50.
 
Peru State shot 20-of-66 from the field shooting 30.3%, 3-of-14 from beyond the arc shooting 21.4% and 8-of-10 from the charity stripe shooting 80%.
 
Clarke shot 25-of-58 shooting 43.1% from the field, 7-of-20 from deep shooting 35% and 16-of-20 from the line shooting 80%.
 
Clarke outscored Peru State 32-20 in the paint, 21-10 in points off turnovers and 30-22 in bench points.
 
Stewart led the way in points with 10, Deal finished with nine, Howard and Larry both finished with eight points. Howard led the way in rebounds with six. Howard also finished with a team high in steals with three.
 
Peru State has a quick turnaround as they trek down to face Park on Monday night. Tip-Off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.