(Dubuque, Iowa)-  Peru State rode a dominant all-around performance from center Kylie Diaz and a strong fourth quarter to close out a 78-67 road win over Clarke (Iowa) on Saturday afternoon at the Kehl Center.

The Bobcats led wire-to-wire and sealed the outcome in the final minute. Holding a single-digit edge late, Peru State turned to its perimeter and free-throw shooting to finish the job. Katelyn Sanders buried a 3-pointer from the wing with 44 seconds left to make it 74-65, and after Clarke's last push, Erison Vonderschmidt knocked down two free throws with 14 seconds remaining to set the final margin.

Diaz anchored the effort with a standout double-double, pouring in 30 points to go with 14 rebounds in 38 minutes. The Albertville, Minnesota, native also filled the box score with seven assists, five steals and three blocks as Peru State closed the game with a 26-point fourth quarter. Vonderschmidt added 13 points and three rebounds in 37 minutes, while Sanders finished with 11 points, including 5-of-11 at the line.

Peru State established control early, using a 20-point first quarter to set the tone defensively and offensively. Vonderschmidt's first-quarter 3-pointer pushed the lead to 16-9, and a late paint finish by MaKinley Tobey gave the Bobcats a 20-13 advantage after the opening 10 minutes. The visitors continued to build on that cushion in the second quarter, closing the half with a key sequence as Savannah Bingham converted a layup off a Diaz assist with six seconds left to send Peru State into the locker room up 37-29.

The Bobcats' largest separation came in the third quarter. Bingham scored in transition for a fastbreak layup to stretch the lead to 48-33 with 2:41 to play in the frame, capping a 28-minute stretch in which Peru State consistently held a double-digit margin. Clarke responded with a late 3-pointer from Hailey Walters to trim the deficit to 50-40 heading to the fourth, but the Bobcats answered by attacking the paint and getting to the foul line to keep control.

Clarke made its final push behind leading scorer Zoe Kennedy, who finished with 26 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals in 39 minutes. Kennedy helped the Pride close to within single digits inside the final minute, and a jumper by Camdyn Kay cut the margin to 76-67 with 20 seconds left. Peru State, however, remained steady at the stripe and on the glass to prevent any further rally.

Team efficiency and interior play were decisive for Peru State. The Bobcats shot 50.0% from the field (28-of-56) and 42.9% from 3-point range (6-of-14), while holding Clarke to 38.6% shooting overall. Peru State also converted 16-of-25 free throws and used balanced contributions off the bench and in the lane to outscore Clarke both in the paint and in bench points. Both teams finished with 16 turnovers, but the Bobcats' 16 assists and 39 total rebounds.