CANTON, Mo. - Culver-Stockton (Mo.) overcame a 14-point, first-half deficit to defeat Central Methodist in overtime, 76-67, on Thursday inside Charles Field House in Heart of America Athletic Conference action.�

Central Methodist (12-11, 3-10) raced out to an 18-4 lead midway through the first half following back-to-back 3-pointers by Allison Hines and Morgan Vetter. The Eagles again held a 14-point edge nearly a minute later after a Jesse Ellis bucket in the paint, but Culver-Stockton (17-6, 9-4) closed the period outscoring James Arnold's group 17-6, including an 11-0 run in a 1:44 span, to trim the Central Methodist halftime edge to 26-23. Brianna Marzette scored eight of the 11 points during the spurt.

The Eagles held a four-point upper hand at the 17:40 mark of the second half following a Vetter bucket from deep, and the Wildcats did not lead in the second half until the 9:15 mark when Randi Lee Plunkett scored four-straight points for her team, all from the stripe. Central Methodist immediately countered with five-straight of its own after a Sammie Jo Copeland shot in the paint and Vetter trey.�

A 9-2 Eagles' run, ending with an Ellis layup, gave the visitors a 55-47 advantage with 3:35 left in regulation before the Wildcats rallied. Central Methodist still led by six with 1:06 to go when Jasmine Mathews hit a 3-pointer to cut Culver-Stockton's deficit to one possession. Plunkett made the first of two free throws to trim the margin to 61-59 with 42 seconds remaining. After a missed Eagles' free throw, Plunkett scored a layup on the next possession to tie the affair. Central Methodist was unable to get a shot off as time expired, sending the game into overtime.

The Wildcats scored the first three points of the extra period and never trailed again, holding a lead as many as 11 with under a minute to play.

Plunkett led all scorers with 25 to go along with seven rebounds, five steals and two assists. Marzette had 16 points, five rebounds, four steals and two assists. Mathews finished with 12 points.

Vetter tallied a team-high 15 points. Ellis and Copeland each scored 10. Ellis also dished out a game-high five assists. Taylor Cornelison had eight points and 11 rebounds. Chelsea Pannier totaled nine points, all from behind the arc, and four rebounds. Taylor McDowell had five points and as many boards.

The Eagles made nine 3-pointers and held Culver-Stockton to just 34.7 percent (26-of-75) shooting and 2-of-13 from distance. However, the Wildcats were 22-of-31 from the free throw line, while Arnold's team was 10-of-15.�

Central Methodist returns to Puckett Field House to host Avila (Mo.) on Saturday at 2 p.m. CT.