The Wildcats took the joy out of the Gleason Center Tuesday when head coach Susan Decker collected her first career win over Sterling College with a 74-71 victory.

Senior Allie Heinen and junior Kaitlin Schneden led the way for Baker with 22 points apiece. Heinen also grabbed 13 boards and a double-double.

Decker said having one player produce so much is huge for a team, let alone two.

“Obviously, anytime you can get 20-plus from two different players, it is huge,” she said. “I thought (Heinen and Schneden) did a nice job of scoring when given the opportunities.”

Decker said despite having just four points at the break, Schneden managed to have a breakout game.

“Kaitlin scored 18 of her 22 in the second half, which was a huge boost for us,” Decker said.

Freshman Kaylee Murdock dropped in 11 points off the bench giving the ‘Cats a third double-digit scorer. Sophomore Kendra Schaefer ran the point and dished out five dimes to her teammates.

In a game full of transition basketball, Decker said Heinen displayed her level of endurance as well.

“Allie played in 39 of the 40 minutes, which showed what kind of stamina she has in a game that was fast-paced,” Decker said.

Good shooting was key for the ‘Cats’ game against Sterling.

“We shot the ball extremely well and attacked in transition, especially in transition,” Decker said.

The ‘Cats shot 48 percent from the field including 59 percent from behind the arc.

Schaefer said the team’s focus was on one thing Tuesday night.

“The difference in the game was our intensity,” she said. “Coach said before the game, ‘Find a way to win’ and we did. To go on the road and win in a place that is very hard to play in feels amazing. Sterling is a good team, and for us to give Coach Decker her first win against them really means a lot.”

Murdock echoed the sentiments of her teammate.

“We knew Sterling would be tough on the road, but getting a win on their court was a great feeling,” she said.

However, the ‘Cats couldn’t find their touch Saturday in Collins Center as they scored just 17 points in the first half and shot 32 percent for the game in a 57-52 loss to Park University.

Freshman Audrey Bryant came off the bench to score a game-high 17 points for Baker, but the spark wasn’t enough.

The Wildcats will make a trip down I-70 Friday and Saturday for the Kansas Wesleyan Classic in Salina. Baker will look to improve its 2-3 overall record as the team faces Bethany College Friday and the host team Kansas Wesleyan University Saturday.