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Jan. 9, 2008Dutch knock off Luther 67-63
PELLA--Ashley Gerst (sophomore, Columbus Junction, Wapello HS) had a game-high 18 points, including a pair of free throws with 1 second remaining as the resurgent Central College women's basketball team knocked off Luther College Wednesday.
It was the fourth win in five games following a 0-8 season start for the Dutch (4-9 overall, 2-2 Iowa Conference). It was also Central’s first win over the Norse since Feb. 16, 2001, a span of 12 games.
Central trailed by as many as nine points in the first half and was down 40-35 at the half. The Dutch ran off seven unanswered points to take their first lead of the second half, 48-46 following a Jordan Waddell (freshman, Guthrie Center) layup. A pair of free throws by Erin Benson (junior, Omaha, Neb., Northwest HS) put Central up 65-62 with 2:35 left but both clubs saw opportunities slip away in closing moments. Luther had a final chance with 12 seconds left but the Dutch forced a turnover inside with 2 seconds left.
Benson had 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds while Waddell also scored 10. Waddell and Gerst each passed out five assists.
Each team shot 39 percent from the floor but Central was hot from beyond the 3-point line early, hitting 7 of 15 in the first half. Luther held a 45-30 rebounding advantage.
Both clubs surrendered 31 turnovers in the physical contest.
“Luther plays physical but I thought that we played physical with them,” coach Natalie Nakic said. “Before when we played them we used to get rattled but tonight I thought we matched them.”
Nakic said her young squad is making big strides.
“We’re getting comfortable in our defense,” she said. “And we’re really getting aggressive in our zone.”
Saturday the Dutch are at Storm Lake for a women’s-men’s doubleheader with Buena Vista University. The teams split a pair of games last season. Buena Vista was a 77-68 winner over Wartburg Wednesday. The Beavers are 7-6 overall and 1-3 in league play.
Saturday’s doubleheader starts at 2 p.m. and will be broadcast on KRLS-FM (92.1). It can also be heard at www.kniakrls.com.