DECORAH—It was an effort that matched the milestone for guard Kelsea Hurley (senior, Scottsdale, Ariz., Desert Mountain HS) and the Central College women's basketball team but in the end, a 94-89 double overtime defeat at Luther College Saturday.
           
Hurley rained in a career-high 32 points and became the 13th player in program history to reach the 1,000-point mark for her career, the first to do so since Laura Porter in 2009. With Central (4-12 overall, 1-6 American Rivers) trailing 81-76 and just 10 seconds left in the first overtime, Hurley coolly knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to tie it 82-82 and force the second extra period.
           
"We executed those end-of-the-game plays perfectly," coach Moran Lonning said. "We know that Kelsea is the most veteran player and is known to be clutch. She lived up to that. She wants to be in that situation. I was super happy for her."
           
But Luther (10-6 overall, 5-2 conference) finally took command, outscoring Central 12-7 in the second overtime.
           
"Road games are tough in this conference and to take a good Luther team not just to overtime but double overtime is impressive," Lonning said. "I'm really proud of our players to not give up when we were down. Maybe it looked to outsiders that we didn't have a chance, but we stayed together and made it happen."
           
Hurley hit 13 of 26 shots and also pulled down 11 rebounds for her second statistical double-double of the season and fourth of her career. Hurley's 15-foot jumper with 4:15 left gave her 1,000 career points and she now has 1,018, just 17 behind Porter. She reached the milestone in just 73 games as the 2020-21 season was limited to 10 contests due to the global pandemic.
           
Guard Abby Johnson (sophomore, Ankeny) had 22 points and seven rebounds.
           
"Abby's a grinder," Lonning said. "As the game goes on, I think she gets stronger."
           
Center Allison Van Gorp (sophomore, Pella, Pella Christian HS) had 12 points and nine rebounds. Point guard Jasmyn Williams (freshman, Denver, Colo., Arvada West HS) had eight points and a team-high seven assists.
           
"Jazzy was really creating for her teammates and she had some good drives herself, too," Lonning said. "I know she'll keep getting better with her touch around the rim as the season goes on."
           
Guards Kassidi Steel (junior, New Sharon, North Mahaska HS) and Hannah Dau (sophomore, Paullina, South O'Brien HS) each had seven rebounds.
           
Luther, which led 38-35 at intermission, outshot the Dutch 42.0% to 40.4% and outrebounded them 53-51. There were 15 lead changes in the contest. Luther forward Megan Miller had a memorable showing of her own with 32 points and 21 rebounds. The Norse put four players in double figures.
           
Central is home Wednesday for a women's-men's conference doubleheader with Simpson College. Game time is 5:30 p.m. at P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium. A video webcast and live stats can be accessed through the Central athletics website at athletics.central.edu. Simpson is 8-8 overall and 3-4 in conference play after suffering a 77-73 home-court loss against the University of Dubuque Saturday.