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Feb. 2, 2008Loras escapes Central in OT
PELLA—Freshman center Andrea Clark (Guthrie Center) powered her way to a career-high 25 points and 12 rebounds to lead a spirited comeback but the Central College women’s basketball team suffered a 78-74 overtime loss to Loras College Saturday.
Trailing at the break 37-32, the Dutch (4-16 overall, 2-9 Iowa Conference) were down 63-55 at the 6-minute mark but went on a 7-0 run. A 3-point bucket by guard Jordan Waddell (freshman, Guthrie Center) knotted it at 67-67 with 1:35 left but the teams then went scoreless to force overtime. After Central took an early 70-67 lead in the extra period on another Waddell three, Loras (13-7 overall, 5-6 conference) reeled off seven unanswered points to secure the win. The Duhawks had defeated Central 72-63 in the conference opener at Dubuque Nov. 28.
Clark posted her fifth statistical double-double while guard Ashley Gerst (sophomore, Columbus Junction, Wapello HS) had 19 points and six assists. Waddell and guard Brittney Carlson (sophomore, Oskaloosa) each had nine points. The Dutch were 18-of-21 from the free throw line as Clark hit her first 13 and finished 13-of-15. Central outrebounded Loras 39-37 but committed 29 turnovers.
“Turnovers were definitely the story,” coach Natalie Nakic said. “But even after making 14 turnovers in the first half, we were still only down five points. We made a couple of adjustments at halftime but the biggest thing was we just maintained our composure, even when we took the lead in overtime. That is huge, especially for a young team.”
Nakic is excited about Clark’s continued progress.
“Andrea stepped up,” Nakic said. “We challenged everyone this week. We said we need everyone to contribute. Andrea went out and was aggressive. Instead of waiting for things to come to her, she went after it. She was a huge factor.”
Nakic liked Gerst’s effort as well.
“Ashley played her heart out,” Nakic said. “She definitely hit some key baskets. It was all based on her reading the play and taking the ball to the basket. She’s become more comfortable doing that.”
Central travels to Indianola Wednesday to tackle nationally ranked Simpson College in a women’s-men’s doubleheader starting at 6 p.m. Simpson is 19-1 overall and 11-0 in league play after 99-74 win over Dubuque Saturday. Simpson rolled up an 86-58 victory at Central Jan. 21.