A fast beginning propelled the Culver-Stockton College women's basketball team to an 80-68 Heart of America Athletic Conference victory over William Penn University Wednesday night in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

The victory was the first for the Wildcats away from Charles Field House this season, improving to 1-4 on the road. C-SC, which has now won two straight games for the first time this season, is 3-4 overall and 2-1 in the conference.

The Wildcats didn't waste time jumping on the Statesmen.

C-SC shot 50 percent (7-14) from the field while limiting the hosts to just two field goals on 14 attempts in building an 18-6 lead after one quarter. An 11-2 run over the final 6:25 of the quarter helped C-SC get separation.

The final three quarters were evenly played between the two teams with the Statesmen getting no closer than eight points the rest of the game. C-SC led 40-24 at halftime and 61-50 after three periods.

Four of the five Wildcat starters reached double figures in the victory led by sophomore Avery Oetting with 17 points. Senior graduate student Aaliyah Ortiz and sophomore Nevaiah Bell-Tenner added 15 markers, while junior Katie Webb chipped in with 11 points.

Bell-Tenner garnered a team-high seven rebounds with Webb and Addison Newbon grabbing six caroms each. The Wildcats held a 42-31 edge on the glass overall.

Besides her scoring, Ortiz turned in her usual overall performance, finishing with four rebounds, four assists, four steals and three blocked shots. Oetting tallied five rebounds, four assists and three steals.

C-SC is scheduled to conclude its two-game road swing with a trip to Benedictine College this Saturday, Dec. 2. Game time at Ralph Nolan Gym in Athison, Kan., is set for 12 p.m.