PELLA—Wartburg College remained unbeaten in American Rivers play but even in an 65-57 loss Wednesday night, signs of progress were plentiful for the Central College women's basketball team.
           
The Dutch (6-16 overall, 3-10 conference) absorbed an 80-37 thumping in the two teams' first meeting at Waverly Jan. 4. But even after taking a 34-17 halftime lead Wednesday, the Knights couldn't shake the scrappy Central club.
           
Center Allison Van Gorp (sophomore, Pella, Pella Christian HS) was a force inside with a career-high 19 rebounds to go with 12 points in posting her sixth double-double of the season and 10th of her career.
           
"Allison dominated the glass," coach Moran Lonning said. "Getting 19 rebounds is awesome. I love that she keeps pushing and pushing."
           
That helped Central post a lopsided 51-34 rebounding advantage while limiting Wartburg (18-4 overall, 13-0 conference) to 37.3% shooting.
           
"I think we've evolved a lot as a team," Lonning said. "The difference between the first time we played them and the second time was our belief in ourselves. I think we played harder and I think we've gotten better."
           
Central trailed by as many as 21 early in the second half, but the Dutch steadily chipped away and when Van Gorp knocked down her first career 3-pointer in the closing seconds, Wartburg's lead had melted to just six points.
           
"We got ourselves some extra possessions with offensive boards when things weren't falling," Lonning said. "At times we were able to get not just one but two offensive boards and then finally put it in. I want those types of plays to be our identity, that gritty mentality."
           
After shooting just 19.4% from the floor in the first half, Central improved to 43.7% in the second half. Guard Samantha Scott (sophomore, Davenport, North Scott HS) was a big part of the resurgence. She drained three second-half 3-pointers and finished with a team-high 14 points.
           
"I was really excited for Sam," Lonning said. "I've known her since recruiting her in high school and she's the type of player who can hit big shots. I really liked her defense tonight, too. That was something we've been trying to emphasize and she was really physical."
           
Guard Kelsea Hurley (senior, Scottsdale, Ariz., Desert Mountain HS) had 10 points while guard Jasmyn Williams (freshman, Denver, Colo., Arvada West HS) had five assists and four steals.
           
"Jazzy had some big takes, too," Lonning said. "Where things could have maybe turned ugly, she was one that could break down the defense and score herself or dish it to people."
           
Central makes its final regular-season home-court appearance Saturday, taking on Luther College in a women's-men's doubleheader at 2 p.m. at P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium.  The Norse are 12-11 overall and 7-7 in conference play after a 79-50 defeat at Loras College Wednesday. Central forced Luther into double overtime before dropping a 94-89 decision in the teams' previous meeting at Decorah Jan. 14.
           
"I liked our third and fourth quarter to now help propel us into three last three games," Lonning said. "Senior Day on Saturday is a really special day and I want this second half to be our new standard of how hard we're playing and how much urgency we have."