Oetting goes 14 of 14 from line, including eight in final 45 seconds, in victory for C-SC women

CANTON, Mo. — The Culver-Stockton College women’s basketball team scored 54 first-half points to take a big lead, then needed Avery Oetting to make all 10 of her free throws in the final four minutes of the game to seal an 82-72 victory over Baker in a Heart of America Athletic Conference game on Saturday afternoon in Charles Field House.

Oetting made 14 of 14 free throws and led Culver-Stockton with 25 points. The junior from Hallsville has made 96.7 percent of her free throws (31 of 32) this season. She ranks No. 7 in the NAIA in free-throw shooting percentage behind six players who have not missed a free throw this season.

C-SC made 21 of 34 shots in the first half and only turned the ball over five times in the first 20 minutes to lead 54-35. Senior Katie Webb scored 13 of her 19 points in the first half.

C-SC’s biggest lead was 65-43 at the 6:30 mark of the third quarter after a 3-point basket by Elizabeth Reed. However, the hosts only scored two more baskets in the third quarter, missing eight of nine shots before Misori Nambara scored at the buzzer. Baker trailed 69-56 entering the fourth quarter.

Nambara then made a 3-pointer with 8:11 to play to put C-SC ahead 72-58. That was the last field goal for the home team, who missed six of seven shots and turned the ball over nine times in the final 10 minutes.

Alyssa Morris made 3-pointers 41 seconds apart to get Baker within 74-68 with three minutes left in the game. After two C-SC turnovers, Baker’s Taniya Tease made a free throw with 2:09 remaining. Baker had three more possessions to cut even further into the deficit but turned the ball over once and had two missed shots.

Oetting then made 8 of 8 free throws in the final 45 seconds to clinch the victory.

The victory was the second straight for Culver-Stockton (5-2), which is 2-1 in Heart play and in a tie for fourth place. Baker dropped to 0-4, 1-5 in the Heart.

The Culver-Stockton College men’s basketball team is still winless after seven games following a 100-57 loss to Baker on Saturday afternoon. C-SC’s first three Heart of America Athletic Conference opponents have combined for a 22-1 record.

C-SC shot a season-low 32 percent from the field. Connor Davis’ basket gave the hosts an 11-9 lead with 13:29 remaining in the first half, but Baker scored the next 13 points and never trailed again. Baker outrebounded C-SC 46-23. Davis led the Wildcats in scoring with 19 points.