TOPEKA, Kan. —- The Culver-Stockton women's bowling team came up one match short of the championship series after fighting its way through the consolation bracket at the Heart of America Athletic Conference Bowling Championships at Gage Center Bowl in Topeka, Kan.

The Wildcats garnered 4,171 total pins in 24 baker games during the preliminary rounds to claim the second overall seed and a first round bye in match play.

Third-seeded William Penn sent the Wildcats to the consolation bracket immediately with a sweep in C-SC opening match of match play. The Statesmen prevailed 192-176, 173-162, 220-160.

The Wildcats stayed alive with a four-game victory over fifth-seeded Peru State College, winning 181-141, 170-189, 180-136, 166-132.

C-SC advanced to the consolation final with a victory over top-seeded Baker University in the consolation semifinals. The Wildcats lost the first game 137-189 before winning the next two games 207-191 and 157-130. Baker forced a fifth game with a 177-218 victory in game four before the Wildcats eliminated the top seed 191-161 in the fifth game.

The five game victory took some steam out of the Wildcats in the consolation final against Grand View University. The Wildcats lost the first two games, 189-137, 195-170 before winning the third game 168-123. In the fourth game, the Vikings eliminated the Wildcats in a closely contested game, 173-171, giving the Wildcat third place.  

The Wildcats are scheduled to compete at the Intercollegiate Team Sectionals March 9-10 at Stardust Bowl in Addison, Ill.