PELLA—A 20-point outing on Senior Day for guard Kelsea Hurley (senior, Scottsdale, Ariz., Desert Mountain HS) helped take the drama out of Central College's rematch with Luther College Saturday, a 62-49 Dutch women's basketball victory.
           
Luther (12-12 overall, 7-8 American Rivers) had escaped the Dutch in double overtime at Decorah Jan. 14, 94-89. But after rallying from an early 9-4 deficit to take a 13-10 lead after one quarter Saturday, Central (7-16 overall, 4-10 conference) was in command, widening the margin to 32-23 at intermission. A buzzer-beating drive and lay-in by guard Hannah Dau (sophomore, Paullina, South O'Brien HS) made it 47-32 after three periods.
           
Hurley nailed four 3-point goals in five tries, giving her 162 for her career, ranking second on Central's all-time list. She also shared the team rebound lead with five.
           
"It was a really good day for Kelsea," coach Moran Lonning said. "Going 4-for-5 from three, that's awesome. She played hard. She wanted it. She played really well the first time we played Luther, too. I think this was a special day for her."
           
Hurley has 1,113 career points, moving into ninth place on Central's list. She passed all-America center Tracy Wilson, who had 1,150 from 1989-93.
           
Central also got 11 points and five assists from Dau and 10 points from guard Samantha Scott (sophomore, Davenport, North Scott HS).
           
Central committed just 12 turnovers while the rebounds were even 38-38.            
Lonning was impressed again with the Central defense, which limited Luther to 27.7% shooting.
           
"We've been playing really tough defense," Lonning said. "We were physical and getting up tight to not allow open threes. I think that at the beginning of the year that was a problem for us because we were scared of getting beat. But I think we're trusting each other now so that if they dribble and drive, there's going to be help. It's fun seeing us get better and better on the defensive end."
           
After the game Hurley was recognized along with fellow seniors Danae Greig (Albany, Ore., West Albany HS), Annie Swaters (senior, Deepwater, Mo., Lakeland HS) and Jessica Carithers (Mackinaw, Ill., Deer Creek-Mackinaw HS).
           
"I'm glad we got to start them," Lonning said. "I think that was a cool experience and got the crowd excited for them. I'm glad I got to know them for one year and I know all of them are going to do great things after college."
           
Central is on the road for the season's final two games, traveling to Storm Lake Wednesday to take on Buena Vista University. The Dutch were 60-58 winners over Buena Vista at Pella Jan. 11. The Beavers are 6-17 overall and 1-14 in conference action after getting outscored at Wartburg College Saturday 80-67.