Central women lose nailbiter in game two of basketball tournament

MIAMI GARDENS, FLA.- The Central College women’s basketball team was back at it for its second game in as many days on Thursday, with a game against the Bates College Bobcats (Maine) in their final game of the Cruzin Classic tournament. While the game was close from start to finish, the Dutch unfortunately fell short in the end, losing 56-62.

It was a similar story to Central’s last game in the sense they led at halftime but were unable to hold their opponent off in the second half, ultimately giving up a late lead. A big offensive second-quarter in which Central scored 17 points catapulted them to a 29-24 lead going into the half, but the 13-th ranked Bobcats made the necessary adjustments in the second half and came out clicking on all cylinders offensively. A 20-point third quarter from the Bobcats left Central trailing by two going into the fourth, and although they kept it close throughout, Bates’ offensive surge continued-something the Dutch couldn’t overcome.

Guard Emily Naughton (junior, Indianola) stuffed the stat sheet for Central, putting up 17 points, five assists, three steals, and two blocks in 33 minutes of playing time. Her running mate in the backcourt, Jasmyn Williams (senior, Commerce City, Colo., Arvada West HS), was also impactful on both ends of the court. Williams put up nine points, four rebounds, two assists, and three steals.

Central now falls to 6-5 on the season but will have an opportunity to get back to its winning ways when they return home to host Bethany Lutheran College on Saturday, January 3.