The Baker women’s basketball team is 2-1 in conference play after beating Lindenwood University Saturday and Evangel University Tuesday.

Despite losing their conference opener 66-54 to Benedictine College on Dec. 2, the Wildcats came back strong Saturday, defeating Lindenwood 71-66.

Senior Aubree Gustin scored 18 points and senior Emily Gibson was close behind with 17 points, while grabbing nine rebounds. Senior Brittany Hines had 15 points.

The team shot 73 percent from the free-throw line and committed 17 turnovers.

Baker rebounded from the Benedictine loss with a 56-43 upset win over No. 24 Evangel.

“Benedictine was a tough loss, but the Evangel win was huge,” Gibson said.

The Wildcats shot 37 percent from the field and held the Crusaders to 28 percent.

Senior Courtney Goodrum came off the bench and led the team in scoring with 15 points.

Hines scored 13 points and Gustin had seven rebounds to go with her seven points.

“Courtney Goodrum has been doing awesome and (Hines) has been playing really consistent,” Gibson said.

The win against Evangel was only the third time in 11 years that Baker has defeated the Crusaders in Springfield, Mo.

“Winning at Evangel just doesn’t happen that much,” head coach Susan Decker said.

Much of the success the Wildcats have is from both the goals the team sets every week, as well as the senior leadership on the team.

The Wildcats latest goal for the season is to be 3-1 in the conference before winter break, which could be made possible with a win over Central Methodist University Thursday in Collins Center.

Decker said Baker Orange staff member Gloria Atanmo and Goodrum both have had some really great games.

“We have a lot of people stepping up in different roles,” Decker said. “It’s been good for our team.”

Gustin said senior Brooke Sanders is a key player on the team in most games. 

“She knows how to slow the ball down and she knows when we need to run the offense,” Gustin said. “She has helped a lot for us as a point guard.”

The team will compete in the Grand Canyon Classic Dec. 29 and Dec. 30 in Phoenix. When the team returns in January, it will continue conference play with a game against Avila University Jan. 6.

Baker sits with a 6-5 season record as of Thursday morning.

The Wildcats played Central Methodist University Thursday night, however results were unavailable at presstime.