The Culver-Stockton College women's basketball team began Heart of America Athletic Conference play with a 65-57 road loss to MidAmerica Nazarene University Saturday afternoon at Cook Center in Olathe, Kan.

After a first quarter that ended in a 16-16 tie, the Wildcats were outscored 24-6 in the second quarter and had to play catch up the rest of the game.

The Pioneers, ranked 20th in the latest NAIA Top 25 national poll, extended their halftime lead to 56-37 after three quarters and it looked they would roll to an easy victory.

However, someone forgot to tell the Wildcats.

C-SC engineered a furious fourth quarter rally, outscoring the hosts 20-6 to cut the lead to 62-57 with 69 seconds to play on two free throws by Aaliyah Ortiz.

After MNU made two free throws to extend the lead back to seven at 64-57, the Wildcats had three opportunities to close to within four points but missed all three 3-point attempts.

Ortiz was the only Wildcat to reach double figures, finishing with 17 points to lead the Wildcats. Katie Webb and Addison Newbon each recorded nine points.

Ortiz also led the Wildcats on the glass with six caroms, while Newbon pulled down five rebounds. Ortiz registered a a team-high six assists and five steals.

The Wildcats (1-4, 0-1 Heart) are scheduled to host Central Methodist University this Tuesday, Nov. 21, at Charles Field House. Game time is slated for 2 p.m.