(Peru, Neb.) – When a team shoots over 50%, no matter what you do, it will be tough to stop them. That was the case Wednesday night in Oskaloosa, Iowa, as the William Penn (WPU) women's basketball team made 51.5% of their field goals.
 
The Statesmen used that advantage on their way to a 101-68 win over the visiting Peru State Bobcats.
 
With the win, William Penn won their fourth game in a row and improved to 4-3 overall and more importantly, to 4-2 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) North Division. Peru State fell to 3-6 on the season and are now 1-4 in conference play.
 
First Quarter Action
 
WPU jumped to an 11-0 lead before Ellie Bream (Waverly) hit a field goal off an assist from Maddy Duncan (Hamburg, Iowa) with 3:54 left on the first quarter clock.


 
Peru State would be as close as seven with 1:04 after Duncan hit a trey off an assist from Samantha Stewart (Mount Ayr, Iowa) to make it 19-12.
 
The Statesmen would eventually lead 22-12 at the end of the first ten minutes.
 
Second Quarter Action
 
Dayna Dewitt (Mansfield, Texas) made a pair of free throws to start the second quarter before the Statesmen went on a 6-0 run.
 
WPU would maintain their double-digit lead and led by as many as 21 at 51-30 with 38 seconds left in the half.

Duncan would end the first half with a three-pointer with the dime coming from McKenzie Witt (Falls City) to put the score at 51-33 at halftime.
 
Third Quarter Action
 
After William Penn led 56-35 with 8:08 left in the quarter, the Bobcats made a little run which started with a bucket by Julie Miller (Lansing, Kan.) off an assist from Mackenzie Shupe (Lenexa, Kan.). Libby Baumert (Plattsmouth) followed with a trey from Dewitt and then Duncan hit a bucket to make the score 56-42 at the 6:49 mark.
 
WPU would then make one of two free throws to extend the lead back to 15 before Miller hit a pair of free throws to get the Bobcats as close as they would be the rest of the contest.
 
The Statesmen would lead 75-53 at the end of 30 minutes.
 
Fourth Quarter Action
 
Dewitt would hit one of two free throws to start the final stanza before the Statesmen reeled off seven straight points.
 
WPU would outscore Peru State 26-15 in the final ten minutes.

WILLIAM PENN GAME BOOK
 
Team Statistics
  

The Statesmen connected on 34 of 66 field goals for 51.5% which included making 13 of 30 from behind the arc for 43.3%. At the free throw line, WPU made 20 of 32 for 62.5%. Peru State made 20 of 56 field goal tries for 35.7% and went 6 of 18 from long range for 33.3%. At the charity stripe, the Bobcats were 22 of 26 for 84.6%.
 
WPU had a huge rebounding edge as they grabbed 45 rebounds – 17 of which were offensive. Peru State finished with 29 boards.
 
The Statesmen dished out 21 assists compared to 13 for the Bobcats. William Penn had 13 turnovers while the Bobcats had 16.
 
William Penn blocked two shots with the 'Cats finishing with one. The Statesmen doubled up the Bobcats in steals as they finished with eight.
 
Peru Individual Statistics
 
Dewitt led the Bobcats with 20 points on 6 of 12 shooting from the floor and making 8 of 9 free throws. Duncan finished with 15 points and was the only other Bobcat in double figures.
 
Dewitt, Miller, and Stewart each grabbed five rebounds to lead the team. Witt added four boards.
 
Witt dished out four assists while Stewart contributed three.
 
Miller was credited with one block.
 
Shupe led the team with two steals while Adreal Bell (Independence, Mo.) and Stewart each grabbed one.
 
Upcoming Contests
 
Peru State has four more contests in 2020 before taking a break. The first game will be at home with the final three on the road.
 
On Saturday, Dec. 5, the Bobcats will be hosting MidAmerica Nazarene at 2 p.m. The Pioneers are 5-1 on the season and are perfect so far in Heart play with a 5-0 mark.
 
The 'Cats will then face Mount Mercy on December 8 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Mustangs are 0-2 overall and have the same mark in conference play.
 
They will then travel to Clarke in Dubuque, Iowa, on December 12 for a 2 p.m. contest. The Pride are 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the Heart.

Peru State's final game of the 2020 portion of their season will be on Dec. 15 when they take on Graceland in Lamoni, Iowa, at 5:30 p.m. The Yellowjackets are 1-4 on the season and are 0-4 in Heart play.