PELLA—An 18-point third quarter gave the shorthanded Central College women's basketball team a chance Saturday but the Dutch were ultimately doomed by a nightmarish start in a 56-46 American Rivers loss to Coe College Saturday.
           
Coe (4-5 overall, 1-3 conference) bolted to a 17-1 lead less than seven minutes into the game and was up 24-5 after one quarter. Central (2-5 overall, 1-2 conference) outscored the Kohawks 32-23 in the middle two periods and drew as close as 52-45 with 4:26 left in the game before faltering.
           
"We played better in the last three quarters," coach Joe Steinkamp said. "We defended better. We just dug ourselves too big of a hole. But I was really proud of different people we had stepping up, playing hard and getting it to a single-digit game in the fourth quarter."
           
Central's comeback hopes were hampered by illness and injury. Guard Denae Grieg (junior, Albany, Ore.) was sidelined by injury early in the first half while guard Alayna Akiona (freshman, Honolulu, Hawaii, Kalani HS) was among those less than 100% and had to leave the game early,
           
"Alayna tried to give it a go but we knew it would be tough for her," Steinkamp said.
           
But freshman center Allison Van Gorp (Pella, Pella Christian HS) came a rebound shy of her third straight double-double, with 17 points and nine boards. Guard Kelsea Hurley (junior, Scottsdale, Ariz., Desert Mountain HS) had 12 points, six rebounds and four assists while guard Kassidi Steel (sophomore, New Sharon, North Mahaska HS) added eight points with eight rebounds and four steals.
           
Central committed 15 turnovers, but just six in the second half. Neither team shot well, with Central hitting 34.9% from the floor after connecting on just 14.3% in the first quarter while Coe shot 34.0% for the game. Central was outrebounded 37-28.
           
The Dutch take a break for fall semester exams this week, then return to action Saturday with a non-conference game against Illinois College. The Lady Blues took a 2-6 record into a Saturday home game with Lawrence University (Wis.). Game time next week is 2 p.m. at P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium. A video webcast and live stats can be accessed through athletics.central.edu.
           
           
"We'll take a couple days off and hopefully can get everyone healthy, then we'll get back to practice at midweek and start preparing for Illinois College," Steinkamp said.