PELLA, Iowa – Central College closed the game on a 9-1 run in the final 1:28 of the game as the Dutch handed the Nebraska Wesleyan women's basketball  team their second straight conference loss, 86-77, on Wednesday night (Dec. 6) in Pella, Iowa.
 
NWU used full court pressure to score four points within five seconds of each other on layups by Klaire Phillips to cut the Central lead to 77-76 with 1:28 remaining.  Central responded on their end of the court with a big 3-pointer from Jessica Helton to get the lead back up to four.  The Prairie Wolves came up empty on their offensive possession and the Dutch sealed the win with free throws.
 
It was a back and forth contest the whole way with 11 lead changes and the score was tied nine times, including a 42-42 deadlock at halftime.
 
Central came out fast in the second half and scored the first ten points to take a 52-42 lead.  They would get up by 11 points before the Prairie Wolves began to make their run.  Caitlin Navratil scored five straight points, then KK Mack added four points to give NWU a one point lead.
 
The Dutch would hold a 61-59 lead at the end of the third quarter.  Central maintained the small lead through the start of the fourth quarter, then both teams struggled to put points on the board.  Ann Schulte made a layup with 4:48 remaining to make the score 73-72 Central.  The Prairie Wolves would not score for three minutes until the two Phillips layups off the press.
 
NWU forced Central into 25 turnovers with their full court press, but the big difference in the game was the 3-point shooting by the Dutch.  Central made 16-38 from 3-point range for 42.1 percent, while NWU made only six 3-pointers.  The Prairie Wolves had 11 more shot attempts in the game, but they were outrebounded by 13.
 
Caitlin Navratil and Kate Schulte both scored 16 points share the team-high scoring honors.  The other player to reach double figures was KK Mack who came off the bench for 12 points.  Addie Wetzel pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds.
 
Central had three players in double figures and two over 20 points.  Emily Dine led the way with 24 points and four 3-pointers, while Jessica Helton scored 23 points making seven 3-pointers.  Jackie Kriegel posted a double-double with 11 points and 16 rebounds.
 
The Prairie Wolves are right back in action as they continue on the road to Illinois to face Blackburn College on Thursday night.