PERU, NE - The Peru State women's basketball team defeated the Park Pirates, 54-50, on Monday night after having a 20-5 fourth quarter. The Bobcats are now 6-6 in the Heart of America Conference and 9-7 overall.  

In the first half of the matchup with the Pirates, the Bobcats started out slow, struggling to get their shots to drop. Samantha Stewart scored the first jumper of the game for the Bobcats. Kaylan Larry had nine points for the Bobcats in the first half, also racking up seven rebounds against the Pirates. The Pirates took the lead going into half, 29-22.  

A steal by Samantha Stewart followed by a layup by Olivia Williams started out the third quarter for the Bobcats. They continued to fight back against the Pirates, with Olivia Williams tallying six points in the third quarter. Despite the efforts of the Bobcats, the Pirates extended their lead to 47-34. 

In the final quarter of the game, the Bobcats put their efforts into full force to take down the Pirates, starting with back-to-back jump shots from Hailey Ingram. A team effort and a layup by Kaylan Larry with only 1:13 on the clock tied the score at 50. With under a minute left, Kaylan Larry drained a jumper, but it was followed by a Pirate layup, tying the game back up with 23 seconds on the clock. A shooting foul with four seconds left gave Kylie Diaz two chances to give the Bobcats back the lead. Diaz's final made free throws gave the Bobcats the two-point lead and the game 54-52.  

Kaylan Larry led the team with 17 points and 12 rebounds followed by Kylie Diaz with eleven points and seven rebounds against the Pirates. Hailey Ingram scored ten points, also tallying four assists and three rebounds for the Bobcats. Samantha Stewart also had eight points and five rebounds with Olivia Williams having six points and three rebounds. 

Next: The Bobcats will return to the AWAC on Wednesday, January 17th to take on Benedictine.