Strong play in the second and third quarters propelled the Culver-Stockton women's basketball team to its first Heart of America Athletic Conference victory of the season Wednesday night against Missouri Baptist University.

Trailing 26-13 at the end of the first quarter, the Wildcats outscored the Spartans 51-27 over the middle two periods en route to a 77-65 victory at the Carl and Delores Petty Recreation Center in St. Louis, Mo.

The Wildcat won the game at the free throw line where they outscored the Spartans 21-3 in the game. C-SC was 21-for-26 while Missouri Baptist made just 3 of 11 overall from the foul line.

C-SC made 55 percent of its field goals in the two middle quarters, and outscored the hosts 24-12 from the 3-point line and 11-1 from the free throw line during that decisive stretch in taking a 64-53 lead to the final quarter.

Both teams shot 33 percent from the field in they final quarter but C-SC kept its distance by sinking seven of eight free throws in the final 10 minutes.

Nevaiah Bell-Tenner led three players in double figures with 16 points. Misora Nambara and Elly Bentley each chipped in with 12 markers.

Avery Oetting, C-SC's leading scorer entering the game, was held to just six points in the game. However, Oetting led the Wildcats in two other categories, recording six rebounds, dishing out five assists, and registering three steals.

C-SC, which improves to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in the Heart, is scheduled to host Benedictine College this Saturday, Nov. 22, at Charles Field House. Game time is set for 2 p.m.