Springfield, Mo. – Evangel women's basketball team dropped their third consecutive conference game with a 56-44 loss to Culver-Stockton at the Ashcroft Center Monday.

Evangel led by one at halftime, 26-25, but the Crusaders offense sputtered in the second half and Culver-Stockton slowly built the lead and outscored the Crusaders 31-18 in the second half.

Allison Swanson led Evangel with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Evangel's starting point guard Amanda Landoldt left the game five minutes into the contest with an ankle injury. The Crusaders had jumped out to a 15-5 lead early behind Landolt's seven points in that run. The already short-handed Crusaders squad, missing guard Taylor Longley as well as Emily Akins and Danielle Latt, battled to maintain a first half lead before Culver-Stockton took over the second half. Landolt came back just before halftime and finished with 12 points of 5 of 7 shooting.

Culver-Stockton was led by TJ Hart, who scored 15 points. Brianna Marzette added 12 points in the win.

The Crusaders dropped to 4-11 and 3-4 in league play.  The Wildcats improved to 13-4 and 5-2 in the conference.

Evangel hosts Missouri Valley at the Ashcroft Center on Thursday in the next game. Game time is 7:30 p.m.