Jan. 30, 2008

Cornell reverses early loss, 81-65

PELLA—Reversing an early-season defeat, Cornell College built a 17-point halftime lead and handed the Central College women’s basketball team an 81-65 defeat Wednesday.

 Central had knocked off the Rams at Mount Vernon Jan. 5, also 81-65.

 Dutch freshman center Andrea Clark (Guthrie Center) posted her fourth statistical double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. But the Dutch were hobbled by 26 turnovers and cold first-half shooting. Central (4-15 overall, 2-8 Iowa Conference) connected on just nine of 27 first-half shots (33.3 percent) while committing 15 turnovers. The Dutch hit at a 54.1-percent clip in the second half but couldn’t reduce the lead to fewer than 15 points.

 “We played a bit hesitant,” coach Natalie Nakic said. “We fought back in the second half but it’s hard to dig out of that big of a hole.”

Cornell (8-10 overall, 3-6 conference) placed four players in double figures and shot 45.1 percent from the field. The Rams came up with 11 steals and committed just 11 turnovers.

Guard Brittney Carlson (sophomore, Oskaloosa) had 14 points for the Dutch while guard Ashley Gerst (sophomore, Columbus Junction, Wapello HS) added 11 with six assists. Forward Emily De Jong (junior, Ankeny) had 10 rebounds.

“Emily rebounded well, as did Andrea (Clark),” Nakic said. “I thought our bigs did a better job.”

Central regained the services of guard Mary Swanson (senior, Jefferson, Jefferson-Scranton HS) who was injured in practice late last week. She came off the bench and scored nine points in 19 minutes of action.

“Mary came in and gave us some good minutes,” Nakic said. “She played hard.”

 Central is home again Saturday for a women’s-men’s doubleheader with Loras College, tipping off at 2 p.m. at P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium. Both games will be broadcast on KRLS-FM (92.1) with Jamie Brockman and can also be heard at www.kniakrls.com. Loras handed the Dutch a 72-63 defeat in the league opener at Dubuque Nov. 28. The Duhawks are 12-7 overall and 4-6 in league play after suffering a 71-60 home-court loss to Dubuque Wednesday.

“The good part is we can come back tomorrow in practice and fix whatever we need to fix to get ready for Saturday,” Nakic said.