Diehl’s 3-pointers in fourth quarter make difference in victory for C-SC women

CANTON, Mo, — Megan Diehl scored just two field goals Saturday, but they were probably the two biggest of the game.

Diehl’s two 3-pointers in a 26-second span during the fourth quarter turned a one-point deficit into a five-point lead that the Culver-Stockton College women’s basketball team never relinquished in a 60-55 victory over Baker (Kan.) in a Heart of America Athletic Conference game at Charles Field House.

C-SC (11-11) improved to 5-8 in conference play to remain in fourth place in the South Division. The Wildcats are two games ahead of Peru State (3-9 Heart) and two and a half games ahead of William Penn (3-10 Heart). The top four teams in the Heart’s two divisions advance to the conference tournament.

The game was tied at 12 after the first quarter and tied at 24 at halftime. C-SC held a 39-37 lead after three quarters on Taylor Green’s basket with 39 seconds remaining in the period.

The Wildcats built their biggest lead of the game at 42-39 on another basket by Green. Baker tied the game for 17th time on a 3-pointer by Macey Frost with 6:16 to play.

Green’s third straight basket gave C-SC a 44-42 lead, but Sophia Barrett’s 3-pointer on the ensuing possession put the visitors ahead 45-44.

The Wildcats regained the lead when Megan Diehl drilled a 3-pointer from the right corner at the 5:01 mark. After a miss by Barrett, Diehl’s 3-pointer from the left corner with 4:35 to play gave C-SC a 50-45 lead.

Diehl forced a turnover on Baker’s next possession, then found Nya Taylor for a layup to give C-SC its biggest lead at 52-45.

Baker got within 57-55 on a 3-pointer by Katelyn Cole with 18 seconds to play. Diehl was fouled with 14 seconds to play and split a pair of free throws. Baker had a chance to tie, but Kaysie Newson stole the inbounds pass and was fouled with 10 seconds left. She made both free throws to seal the victory.

Green finished with 11 points and eight rebounds. Diehl and Josie Landrum had nine points each, and three players scored seven points each.