The Basics
Score: MNU 53, Peru State 44
Record: MNU (14-3, 10-1), Peru State (10-8, 7-4)
Location: Peru, Neb. – Al Wheeler Activity Center
PERU, Neb. – #11 MNU came away with a gritty 53-44 road win at Peru State on Wednesday night. Behind a dominant second quarter and a fourth-quarter defensive lockdown, the Pioneers earned their 10th conference win in the featured Heart Game of the Week.
Trailing after the first quarter, MNU flipped the script with a 20-11 advantage in the second to grab momentum and carry a 28-23 lead into halftime.Â
In a tightly contested third quarter, MNU maintained its edge, heading into the fourth with a 43-37 lead. Then, in the final 10 minutes, the Pioneer defense completely shut down Peru State, limiting the hosts to just 7 points on 2-of-15 shooting.
Despite shooting just 29.3 percent from the field and 11.5 percent from deep, MNU's ability to take care of the ball (just 11 turnovers) and capitalize at the free throw line (88.9%) proved decisive.
Turning Point
MNU took control in the second quarter with a 20-11 burst to erase an early deficit and swing the momentum.
Inside the Box Score
FG%: MNU 29.3%, Peru State 27.6%
3-Point FG%: MNU 11.5%, Peru State 13.3%
Free Throws: MNU 88.9%, Peru State 62.5%
Rebounds: MNU 45, Peru State 43
Turnovers: Peru State 16, MNU 11
Points off Turnovers: MNU 12, Peru State 7
Points in the Paint: MNU 26, Peru State 24
Individual Leaders
Kameron Green: 13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals
Zaylee Werth: 8 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks
Mary Lukert: 11 points, 3 steals
Up Next
The next game is Saturday at home vs. Graceland (3-17, 2-10) at 2:00.
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