Graceland Falls to Peru State in Midweek Conference Matchup, 87–62

LAMONI, Iowa — The Graceland University Yellowjackets dropped their second Heart of America Athletic Conference contest of the season on Wednesday evening, falling 87–62 to visiting Peru State at the Morden Center. With the result, Graceland moves to 1–6 overall and 0–2 in Heart play, while Peru State improves to 5–4 overall and 2–0 in the league.

The Bobcats controlled the game with a high-efficiency offense, shooting 56.7% from the field and scoring 52 points in the paint. Graceland struggled to contain Peru State's inside attack, getting out-rebounded 37–20 and allowing 17 second-chance points on 12 offensive boards.

Kylie Diaz led all scorers with 33 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 13-of-17 from the field and 7-for-7 from the line. Erison Vonderschmidt added 22 points and eight rebounds, and MaKinley Tobey chipped in 12 points and five assists for the visitors, who pulled away in the second and third quarters.

Graceland trailed by just one after the first, 17–16, but Peru State extended its lead with a 25–17 second quarter and followed with a 25–13 third-quarter run to build a 20-point advantage heading into the final frame.

Maxine Ampofo led the Yellowjackets with 15 points, converting 7-of-8 at the free-throw line and adding four rebounds. Nateonia Russell recorded 10 points and six assists, while Ianara Morbidoni and Oliviya Tinoco each tallied eight points. Graceland shot 35.7% from the field and 35.3% from beyond the arc (6-of-17).

"We're still growing," said head coach Willie Scott. "This group is learning what it takes to compete for 40 minutes against good teams. We're going to keep focusing on the details — rotations, box outs, closing possessions. The effort is there; now we've got to execute."

The Yellowjackets had a strong showing from the stripe, hitting 16-of-21 free throws (76.2%), and the bench produced 13 points, with Kayla Smolley hitting a pair of threes for six points and Sophia Rodriguez adding a three of her own.

Despite their efforts, Graceland couldn't overcome Peru State's ball movement and interior scoring. The Bobcats recorded 18 assists on 34 made field goals and finished with six steals and seven blocks, disrupting Graceland's offensive rhythm.

The loss comes just days after Graceland dropped a 75–72 overtime heartbreaker to Missouri Valley College in its conference opener on Saturday.

Graceland returns to the court this weekend when it hosts Nebraska Wesleyan on Saturday, November 22, with tip-off scheduled for 1:00 PM CST at the Morden Center in Lamoni, Iowa.

For more information on Graceland women's basketball and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.