A scoring blitz over a three minute stretch of the third quarter lifted the Culver-Stockton women's basketball team to a 56-41 Heart of America Athletic Conference victory over Missouri Valley College Saturday afternoon at Charles Field House.

The Wildcats trailed 24-22 at halftime after being outscored 12-8 in the second quarter. However, a 3-pointer from Nevaiah Bell-Tenner early the third quarter gave the Wildcats a lead they would never relinquish, but it was a incredible run in the final five minutes of the period that put the game out of reach.

C-SC was holding on to a 28-27 lead after a 3-pointer by the Vikings with 5:14 to play in the third quarter. Over the next two minutes and 39 seconds, C-SC would outscore the visitors 12-1 to take a 40-28 lead. The Wildcats ended up outscoring the Vikings 29-11 in the quarter and took a 51-35 lead to the final 0 minutes of action.

Neither team set the nets on fire in the final period as the two teams combined for just 11 points with Missouri Valley outscoring the hosts 6-5. But it was the furious third quarter scoring stretch that turned out to be the difference.

The victory helps the Wildcats sweep the season series from the Vikings and puts them solidly in fourth place in the conference standings. 

Bell-Tenner and Avery Oetting led a very balanced offense attack with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Chloe Burnham came off the bench to net nine points, while Keyara Baerga-Plumey and Misora Nambara chipped in with seven markers each.

Burnham and Allysa O'Connor dished out three assists each to lead the Wildcats. Burnham also led the way with four steals while Nambara totaled three steals.

The Wildcats continue its season-ending three-game homestand this Wednesday, Feb. 18, with a game against William Penn University. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. at Charles Field House.