DUBUQUE—Nationally ranked Loras College bolted to an early lead and handed the Central College women's basketball team a 78-62 defeat Saturday
The Duhawks (12-2 overall, 4-1 American Rivers) are ranked No. 24 in the WBCA Division III coaches poll and No. 15 by D3hoops.com. They were up 18-7 after one quarter as the Dutch hit just 2-of-16 shots before regaining its footing.
Central (7-7 overall, 1-4 conference) got 14 points from guard
Abby Johnson (junior, Ankeny) and center
Allison Van Gorp (junior, Pella, Pella Christian HS) and 11 from point guard
Emily Naughton (freshman, Indianola), who also passed out three assists and made three steals. Van Gorp had five rebounds.
The Dutch outrebounded Loras 39-33 but were outshot 50.0% to 33.9% and committed 22 turnovers.
Central is home Wednesday for a women's-men's conference doubleheader with Nebraska Wesleyan University starting at 5:30 p.m. at P.H. Kuyper Gym. The Prairie Wolves are 0-10 overall and 0-4 in league play after getting rocked 74-39 at nationally ranked Wartburg College Saturday.
Perry Strong—Coach
Justin Weiland and members of the Central bench wore blue tops in a sign of support for the Blue Jays of Perry High School, which was the scene of a tragic shooting Thursday. Perry principal Dan Marburger, who was among the victims and remains hospitalized, is a 1989 Central graduate and former Dutch football player.
