PELLA—A few quick flurries were the difference as the Central College women's basketball team tumbled against nationally ranked Loras College 74-61 Saturday.
           
Loras, rated No. 19 in the D3hoops.com Top 25, scored the game's first seven points and built an early 20-8 lead. An 11-2 Central run cut the gap to 22-19 in the first 5 minutes of the second quarter, but Loras (17-3 overall, 9-2 American Rivers responded with a 12-2 spurt for a 33-21 halftime lead. The Dutch (10-12 overall, 4-9 conference) drew no closer than six the rest of the way.
           
"I thought we played really good basketball for probably 75% of the game," coach Justin Weiland. "But it was just that 20-25% of the time when we kind of gave in a little, whether we were panicking on offense or we were just stagnant because they brought pressure. We didn't sprint back on defense a couple of times and they hurt us in transition. Honestly, it was one or two 6-0 or 8-0 runs that decided the game."
           
Guard Abby Johnson (junior, Ankeny) had a game-high 14 points and five rebounds while center Allison Van Gorp (junior, Pella, Pella Christian HS) had 10 points and six boards. Guard Emily Naughton (freshman, Indianola) had four assists.
           
The Dutch were outshot 42.6% to 33.3% while the rebounds were even at 40-40. But Central committed 19 turnovers and shot just 24.0% (6-25) from 3-point range.
           
"That's not typical for us," Weiland said. "I thought we had a ton of great looks.
           
"But we still found other ways to score and found ways to get to the free throw line."
           
The Dutch are off until next Saturday when they travel to the University of Dubuque for a conference women's-men's doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. The Spartans nipped Central 53-52 at Pella Jan. 14. Dubuque is 14-7 overall and 8-4 in the conference after winning 77-53 at Buena Vista University Saturday and also plays at Wartburg College Wednesday before meeting Central.
           
The games will be broadcast on KRLS-FM (92.1) with Tyler Crabb calling the action. The broadcast can also be accessed at kniakrls.com.
           
Weiland said the Dutch can use the extra time off.
           
"It's perfect timing because we'll work on the things we really need to shore up and get ready for the rest of the season," he said. "We've got three more games and a great opportunity to go compete and try to find a way to get hot and hopefully find a way to sneak into the conference tournament."
           
Central is in seventh place in the standings, a game behind Luther College for the sixth and final conference tournament berth.