PELLA, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras College Women's Basketball team traveled to Pella, Iowa on Wednesday, looking to carry momentum into their final week of the regular season. Battling the Dutch of Central College, the Duhawks overcame early scoring struggles, building a double-digit lead late. Despite a career-high 29 points by senior Victoria May, the Duhawks squandered their lead, falling 74-70 in overtime.
After trailing for a majority of the first half, the Duhawks (14-10, 8-5) leveled the score at 18 with 4:31 to play in the opening frame behind the play of May. Central's (10-14, 1-12) defense had no answer for the senior captain, as May closed the half scoring eight straight. May's presence on the inside powered the Duhawks to a 24-21 lead at the break.
In the second half, Loras pushed their lead to double-digits after freshman Lauren Stanich buried a 3-pointer with 9:06 to play.
With all the momentum in their favor, the Duhawks pushed their lead to as many as 12 before Central's Kenzie Vander Molen cut it to one, 57-56, with 2:13 to play. The basket shifted momentum, bringing the Dutch fans to their feet.
On the ensuing Duhawk possession, the Dutch defense collapsed on May. With the extra pressure, May slipped a pass through the lane to freshman Megan Jones. The easy lay-in put Loras ahead 59-56 with 1:57 left in regulation.
Unwilling to give up, the Dutch scored three unanswered points, tying the score at 59.
Holding the ball for their best shot, freshman Miranda Chapman put up a mid-range jumper but it fell on the wrong side of the rim. May tracked down the lose ball and kicked it back out to senior Carly Goede at the top of the key. Goode worked the ball around before finding sophomore Kathleen Cabrera on the baseline. Cabrera fired an off-balanced shot that rimmed out at the buzzer, sending the teams to overtime.
In extra time, Vander Molen took over for the Dutch, scoring 10 of their 15 points. Every time Loras attempted to cut into the deficit, the Dutch responded, eventually earning the 74-70 conference win.
Game Changer
With 1:51 to play in overtime, the Dutch burried a three from well behind the arc, giving them a 69-64 lead. The shot gave Central all the momentum, as they Duhawks failed to regain the lead late.
Key Stat
Loras recorded 23 turnovers in the loss while the Dutch tallied just 12 ... Adding insult to injury, Central cashed in for 22 points off of the Duhawks miscues.
Notables
- Wednesday night's contest marked the first in which Loras has gone to overtime this year
- Senior Victoria May posted her third straight 20 point game, scoring 29 and adding 10 rebounds
- The Duhawks recorded a season-best 52 rebounds, 20 of which came on the offensive end
Quotable
Jamie Majerowicz, assistant head coach
"We fought to the end but we needed more of it down the stretch. We shot ourselves in the foot in the first half, and Central hit some key shots late. Ultimately it came down to fouls and turnovers and we had too many of both."
Next Up
With a spot in the conference tournament already locked up, the Duhawks will travel to Indianola, Iowa on Saturday. Facing off against the Storm of Simpson College, Loras will be jockeying for seeding in the Iowa Conference tournament which takes place next week. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. in Cowles Fieldhouse.
