Victory in home finale keeps C-SC women in hunt for spot in conference tournament

CANTON, Mo. — The Culver-Stockton College women’s basketball team stayed in the hunt for a postseason berth with a 69-60 victory over Baker in Heart of America Athletic Conference play Saturday afternoon at Charles Field House.

With two games remaining in the regular season, the Wildcats are tied with Peru State for the eighth and final playoff spot with a 9-13 conference record. Graceland and Park are a game back with 8-14 records.

The Wildcats (10-16) are scheduled to play at Graceland on Wednesday and then finish the regular season with a game at Park next Saturday. Peru State plays at Baker on Wednesday before hosting league front-runner Clarke next Saturday.

C-SC led 36-35 at halftime before outscoring the visitors 33-25 in the second half, including 20-14 in the fourth quarter.

Addison Newbon, starting for the first time since before Christmas, made nine of her 14 field goal attempts en route to a team-high 20 points to lead the Wildcats. Katie Webb came off the bench to net 18 points, helping the Wildcats to a 27-7 edge in bench points. For the third time this season, Aaliyah Ortiz dished out 10 assists to guide the Wildcats’ offensive attack. Ortiz also had three steals and two blocks.

C-SC also had a big advantage from the free-throw line, outscoring Baker 18-4. The Wildcats were 18 of 20 from the line.