The Culver-Stockton women's basketball team outscored Missouri Valley College 39-24 in the second half to overcome an 11-point halftime deficit and defeat the Vikings 65-61 at Charles Field House Wednesday night.

The victory ends a five-game losing streak and improves the Wildcats to 5-10 overall and 4-7 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.

Missouri Valley shot 50 percent (14-28) while the Wildcats connected on 30 percent in the opening half that saw the visitors lead 37-26 at halftime.

A huge third quarter that saw the Wildcats drain 10 of their 16 field goal attempts (62.5 percent) and outscore the Vikings 23-13 to pull within 50-49 entering the final quarter.

Missouri Valley scored 11 of the first 14 points of the fourth quarter to extend its lead to 61-52 with four minutes remaining.

C-SC answered by scoring eight straight points to pull within 61-60. During that span, the Vikings turned the ball over seven times and missed seven shots over the final four minutes.

A steal by Nevaiah Bell-Tenner with 47 seconds left and a subsequent foul by the Vikings sent Bell-Tenner to the free throw line with 43 ticks left.

Bell-Tenner drained both free throws give the Wildcats a 62-61 lead. The Vikings advanced the ball to half-court with a timeout, but turned the ball over for the final time with 1.8 seconds left. 

Missouri Valley was called for a flagrant foul with 0.6 seconds left and Oetting split a pair of free throws to up the lead to 63-61. Another foul on the Vikings with two-tenths of the se and left allowed Bell-Tenner to seals the victory with two more free throws.

Oetting turned in a solid overall game with a team-high 18 points, six rebounds and five steals.

Katie Webb came off the bench to net 16 points while grabbing a team-best seven caroms. Aaliyah Ortiz dished out eight assists and had four steals. Bell-Tenner and Olivia Hoop each scored eight points.

———

Game Notes

• The Wildcats forced 23 Missouri Valley turnovers, which is the second most the second most by CSC this season. Only Benedictine (24) ad more turnovers.
• Avery Oetting's five steals were a season-high for the sophomore from Hallsville, Mo.
• Delaney Straus dished out a career-high three assists.
• Nevaiah Bell-Tenner tied her career-high with three steals.
• Up Next: The Wildcats are scheduled to host Park University this Saturday, Jan. 13, art Charles Field House. Game time is set for 2 p.m.