The Culver-Stockton College women's basketball team made nine of its 10 free throws in the fourth quarter to hold off Grand View University and claim a 61-52 victory in a Heart of America Athletic Conference quarterfinal game at Dave Sisam Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, Wednesday night.

The Wildcats advance to Friday's semifinals where they will face top-seeded and No. 1 ranked Central Methodist University in Fayette, Mo. The Eagles advanced to the semifinals with a 95-34 rout over eight-seeded Baker University. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Both teams were tentative in the early portions of Wednesday's game with the Vikings holding a 10-9 lead after the first quarter. Both teams make just four field goals in the quarter with the Vikings making one more free throw to maintain the lead.

C-SC found its game in the second quarter, shooting 50 percent from the field on 8-for-16 shooting. The Wildcats outscored the hosts 19-13 in the quarter to take a 28-23 lead to the halftime break.

Grand View was able to pull within 45-41 at the end of the third quarter; however, the Wildcats were nearly perfect from the free throw line in the final period. In fact, the Wildcats missed their first free throw of the quarter before draining their final nine charity tosses extend their lead and earn the victory. C-SC was 12-for-14 from the line in the game.

McKenzie Lathrom, who earlier in the day was named the Heart's Newcomer of the Year and was C-SC's only first team selection to the all-conference team, paced the Wildcat attack with 20 points. She was 7-for-13 from the field, including 3-for-7 from the 3-point arc, and 3-for-4 from the free throw line.

Katie Webb chipped in with 11 markers while Nevaiah Bell-Tenner came off the bench to score 10 points. Aaliyah Ortiz added eight points.

The Wildcats out-rebounded the Vikings 33-27 in the game with Kiana Ortiz grabbing a career-high 12 caroms. Bell-Tenner added seven rebounds. Lathrom also played a great floor game, registering four rebounds, three assists and a game-high four steals.

The Wildcats forced 18 Grand View turnovers in the game, including 12 steals. Those miscues led to an 18-11 advantage on points off turnovers.