Central Methodist University outscored the Culver-Stockton women's basketball team 25-20 in the fourth quarter to edge the Wildcats 77-73 Wednesday night in Fayette, Mo.

The loss drops the Wildcats to 5-11 overall and they reach the halfway mark of the Heart of America Athletic Conference slate with a 4-8 mark. The Eagles improve to 9-8 overall and 6-7 in the Heart.

C-SC, which led 16-13 after the first quarter, used a seven point run at the end of the first half to take a 42-35 halftime lead. The game was tied at 35 when Aaliyah Ortiz made a pair of baskets and Kyla Schnurbusch drained a 3-pointer to give the visitors a seven point advantage at the break.

The Wildcats held on to that lead through three quarters despite being outscored 17-11 in the third period.

In the fourth quarter, CMU finally grabbed the lead at 59-56 on a 3-pointer, and then built as much as an eight point lead before the Wildcats rallied to pull within 73-71 with two minutes left.

Ortiz led the Wildcat attack, matching her season-high with 17 points. Ortiz also dished out eight assists and had four steals. 

Nevaiah Bell-Tenner was the only other Wildcat to reach double figures, finishing with 11 markers. Bell-Tenner was 5-for-7 from the free throw line.

Milliana Mozee-Williams tied Katie Webb for team rebound honors with six caroms each. Mozee-Williams matched her career-highs in both points (6) and rebounds.

Game Notes:

• C-SC suffered only its second loss when leading at the half after three quarters, falling to 3-2 in both cases.
• The 73 points are the most scored by the Wildcats since netting 79 points in an overtime loss at Benedictine on Dec. 2.
• C-SC was out-rebounded 34-31 in the game, falling to 1-7 this season when being out-rebounded by the opponent.

UP NEXT: The Wildcats begin a four-game homestand starting Saturday, Jan. 20 against MidAmerica Nazarene University at Charles Field House. Game time is set for 2 p.m. C-SC is scheduled to play five of their next six games on the home court.