Central women misfire in basketball loss to Loras
PELLA—Cold shooting wasn’t the answer the Central College women’s basketball team needed Wednesday as it was shut down by No. 12 Loras College 69-46.
The Dutch (11-8 overall, 3-7 American Rivers) hit just 28.6% in the first quarter and 20.0% in the second. Only a 55.6% fourth quarter brought the final number up to a modest 30.8%.
“We just can’t make a shot right now,” coach Joe Steinkamp said. “A few of our shots were later in the shot clock and were tough shots, but a lot of them were shots that you’ve got to be able to make if you’re going to beat the 12th-ranked team in the country. We never really played with any offensive rhythm.”
Forward Kendall Brown (senior, Moravia) was the only Central player to crack double figures with 10 points to go with eight rebounds. Guards Emily Hay (junior, Stanwood, North Cedar HS) and Carson Fisk (freshman, Searsboro, Lynnville-Sully HS) each had nine. Fisk also had three assists.
The Dutch defensive effort was formidable, limiting Loras to 35.8% shooting, but they were dominated on the glass, 49-35, surrendering 20 offensive rebounds.
“That’s what we talked about after the game,” Steinkamp said. “You hold a good team like that significantly under their average, they only shoot 35% from the field and you force a ton of missed shots.. And we feel like we’re pretty good transition team at times but when you don’t get enough defensive rebounds you don’t you don’t get enough time to get in transition.”
Central’s daunting week continues with a trip to No. 10 Wartburg College at Waverly Saturday in a women’s-men’s doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. The Knights overwhelmed Central 103-69 at Pella Dec. 4. They are 16-3 overall and 7-2 in the league following a 75-55 home-court victory over Coe College Wednesday night.
“Wartburg is another ranked team but we want to continue to find ways we can get better,” Steinkamp said. “Our players are excited for the challenge. They like playing good teams and playing on the road. We just want to get better and give ourselves a chance down the stretch to get into that conference tournament.”
The games will be broadcast on KRLS-FM (92.1) and via www.kniakrls.com with Jon Mohwinkle calling the play-by-play.
