DECORAH — Central College sophomore forward Claire Marburger (Perry) exploded for 30 points and eight rebounds in a season-ending 83-68 Iowa Conference women's basketball loss at Luther College Saturday.

Central trailed 23-9 after the first quarter and could not overcome the deficit.

"We felt like we came out and played well to begin the game but we didn't finish the quarter very well," said coach Chelsea Petersen. "We felt like after halftime we settled down and played great basketball."

Marburger's 30-point performance was her fourth of the season With two seasons of eligibility remaining, she'll enter 2017-18 needing just 94 points to join the career 1,000-point club.

"Claire played phenomenal today," said Petersen.  

Junior guard Alison Malaby (Mechanicsville, North Cedar HS) had 10 points and three steals and junior guard Emily Dine (Oldsmar, Fla., East Lake HS) had nine points.
Dine finishes the season holding the all-time Central records for 3-pointers made in a game (8), season (82) and career (143), and for season 3-point field goal attempts (211).

"The records are a reflection of the amount of work that Emily has put in," said Petersen. "I am extremely proud of Emily and her accomplishments."

Luther controlled the rebound battle 48-27 and outshot Central 46.2 percent from the field to 42.1. One of Central's top rebounders, freshman forward Kendall Brown (Moravia), did not play due to illness, according to Petersen.

The Dutch end the season 9-16 overall and 2-14 in conference. Central more than doubled its win total from last season's 4-21 record. The Dutch bid farewell to seniors Abbie Agan (New Sharon, North Mahaska), Jessica Butters (Kalona, Mid-Prairie HS), Emily Neff (Cedar Falls) and Savanna Thornton (Bedford) Saturday.

"Really proud of the group of seniors and the group of young women that put on the Central uniform," said Petersen.