Baker’s 3-point shooting told the story in the women’s second win over the Missouri Valley Vikings this season.

Senior Ericka Simpson’s five 3-pointers led Baker to a 69-60 win over Missouri Valley College on Saturday in Marshall, Missouri. As a team, the ‘Cats were 48 percent from behind the arc.

Simpson led the Wildcats with 15 points, all from three-point range. Junior Kelsey Larson added 14 points. Larson was 3-5 from behind the arc and 5-6 on free throws. Macy Wallisch came off of her triple-double performance against Avila with another solid game. Wallisch contributed 9 points and 10 rebounds.

The Wildcats started hot with three 3-pointers to open up the first quarter. The Vikings, trying to improve their win streak to four games, proved to be tough in the paint. Wallisch leads the conference in blocks, but Missouri Valley went straight at her trying to draw fouls.

Kieanna Wharton led the Vikings with 18 points. Ten of those came from the free-throw line, as she was able to draw fouls driving through the lane. Missouri Valley’s Savannah Enlow scored 10 points off the bench.

Again in the second quarter, the Vikings scored 21 of their 24 points from the paint and the free-throw line. Toward the end of the second quarter, the Vikings found their largest lead of six points over the ‘Cats. After a competitive first half, Baker was down by two going into the locker room.

The ‘Cats came out hot in the third quarter starting with a 7-0 run. Baker also stepped up defensively and allowed only eight points in the third quarter. Missouri Valley made only four shots from the field in the second half.

Both teams struggled throughout the game with turnovers. Baker ended with 21 and Missouri Valley with 16.

Baker has now won six of the last seven games, and the Wildcats are 16-5 overall and 10-4 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The ‘Cats continue conference play against Evangel at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the Collins Center. Evangel comes into the game at 6-13 overall and 5-9 in the Heart.