The Culver-Stockton College women's basketball team could not overcome a poor first half despite a career night from Avery Oetting in a 91-84 loss to Shawnee State University Friday night at Waller Gymnasium in Portsmouth, Ohio.

The Wildcats made just nine of their 28 field goal attempts in the first half, including a 4-for-16 showing in the second quarter, to trail 55-33 at the intermission. C-SC kept things from getting totally out of hand by draining 11 of its 12 free throws in the first half.

Meanwhile, the Bears seemingly couldn't miss in the opening 20 minutes, shooting 19 of 31 from the field for 62 percent.

Oetting, who recorded eight points in the first half, exploded for 18 points in the second half and finished with a career-high 26 points. Oetting drilled eight 3-pointers in the game, falling one trey short of the school record of nine set last season by McKenzie Lathrom.

Veteran guard Aaliyah Ortiz registered a double-double in the game, finishing with 16 points and a career-best 10 assists. Ortiz did most of her damage from the free throw line, going 12 of 14 from the stripe in 39 minutes of game action. 

Freshman Kyla Schnurbusch also turned in her best game as a collegian, scoring 15 of her season-best 17 points in the second half, while junior Addison Newbon, playing in her first game since injuring her knee last November, netted 13 markers.

Despite the 22-point halftime deficit the Wildcats made a run in the second half, cutting the margin to 81-76 on an Oetting trey with 5:55 to play in the game.

With the score still within five points, C-SC had a chance to get get even closer a minute later when Schnurbusch went to the foul line. However, she missed both attempts and the Wildcats never got any closer than six points the rest of the game.

The Wildcats (1-2) are scheduled to conclude their two-game trip to Ohio with a game against Ohio Christian University on Saturday, Nov. 11, in Circleville, Ohio. Tip off is set for 12 p.m.