Box Score  PELLA—A combined 48-effort from Allison Van Gorp (sophomore, Pella, Pella Christian HS) and Kelsea Hurley (senior, Scottsdale, Ariz., Desert Mountain HS) was enough for the Central College women's basketball team to force a third overtime period in two games but not an elusive win, tumbling 83-79 to Simpson College Wednesday.
           
After defeating Buena Vista last Wednesday, the Dutch (4-13 overall, 1-7 American Rivers) pushed Luther College to the limit Saturday in a 94-89 double-overtime loss.
           
But the progress not yet visible in the win column under first-year coach Moran Lonning is clear.
           
"I'm really proud of our players," she said. "Do I wish that we could have walked away with a wini? Yes. But we are getting stronger from this. We are learning that as long as we just keep going and stay together, it's going to get harder and harder to beat us. And I think hopefully these last three games show us that we can play with and beat anyone."
           
Central led for more than 37 minutes, going up at halftime 36-31 and 53-47 after three quarters. Simpson (9-8 overall, 4-4 conference) finally went up 63-62 with 3:52 remaining. But it was 70-70 when the Dutch had a chance to play for a last shot but came up empty with 4 seconds left. A 3-point try by Simpson at the buzzer also misfired.
           
A Hannah Dau (sophomore, Paullina, South O'Brien HS) 3-pointer with 58 seconds left in the overtime gave the Dutch a 79-78 lead but they were held scoreless the rest of the way.
      

Van Gorp notched her third double-double of the season with 24 points and 13 rebounds along with four blocks.
           
"This was Allison's best game," Lonning said. "I loved how she came out very strong, very aggressive with her rebounding and strong with her finishes."
           
Meanwhile, Hurley drew plenty of defensive attention but still had 24 points as well, along with seven boards, four assists and three blocks.
           
"Kelsea continues to stay hungry," Lonning said. "She's put in the work to hit these shots."
           
Hurley moved into 12th place on Central's career scoring list with 1,042 points and was recognized at halftime of the Central-Simpson men's game. She's also second on the school charts in career 3-point baskets with 149.
           
Guard Abby Johnson (sophomore, Ankeny) had 17 points, five rebounds and three assists in another steady showing.
           
And yet again, guard Kassidi Steel (junior, New Sharon, North Mahaska HS) made a big impact without scoring a point. She had 10 assists and nine rebounds in just under 26 minutes of action.
           
"When I saw our stat of 28 assists as a team, I looked right at Kassidi Steel's line," Lonning said. "Not a lot of people will say anything about her but she is the type of teammate that good teams need. She's everywhere. She's getting stops on defense. She's rebounding hard. She's feeding the people that are scoring. And she doesn't expect any praise."
           
Simpson outshot Central 44.6% to 40.5% but the Dutch held a 50-45 rebounding edge.
           
Central travels to the University of Dubuque Saturday for a women's-men's conference doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. Dubuque defeated the Dutch 63-48 at Pella Dec. 3. The Spartans are 11-6 overall and 5-3 in the conference after a 71-59 win at home against Luther College Wednesday.
           
"We've got to rest up and after tonight, flush this one down and start preparing for Dubuque," Lonning said.