DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras women's basketball team fell to 6-2 in conference play on Saturday with a 60-43 loss to Luther College. With the win, Loras dropped into sole possession of second place in the Iowa Conference.
TURNING POINT
The Duhawk offense struggled from the opening tip, shooting 32.1 percent in the first half. This trend carried over into the second half where Loras went on to shoot 30 percent from the field as opposed to the 39.4 percent shot by the Norse.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
Both teams labored in the first quarter, resulting in a 9-6 score heading into the second. Defense was the name of the game in the first, with the Duhawks holding Luther scoreless for the first five minutes of the game, forcing Luther to miss their first eight shots from the floor.
Luther's defense was equally stout in the first, holding Loras to 4-of-13 shooting. The Norse did force the Duhawks into committing five turnovers, but were unable to capitalize.
Second Quarter
Luther held the Duhawks in check throughout the second quarter, holding the Duhawks without a basket until the 5:19 mark.
Junior
Terese McMahon ended the Norse's 9-0 run with a jumper from the high-post. McMahon combined with sophomore
Lauren Stanich to lead the Duhawks in scoring with six points in the first half. Stanich also recorded three assists and a steal, both of which were team-highs in the first half.
In a rare occurrence, the Duhawks were out-rebounded in the half, 24-to-21. Luther collected nine offensive rebounds, but were held to just two second-chance points
Third Quarter
Loras opened the second half on a 5-0 run, cutting Luther's lead to one. However, Luther mustered up a 12-0 response which put the Norse in front for good. The Duhawks slowly chipped at Luther's lead, cutting it back to single-digits prior to the final quarter.
Right as it seemed the Duhawks were back in it, 3-pointers started to fall for Luther. In total, Luther hit six triples throughout the second half with two coming in the third quarter. A major swing in points was caused by turnovers as Luther capitalized off Loras mistakes to the tune of 10 points.
Fourth Quarter
With their lead cut to single-digits, Luther came out in full force for the final quarter. The duo of Moran Lonning and Kylie Romeo got hot, combining for 17 of Luther's 22 points in the final frame.
For Loras, the Duhawks were held without a basket for the first five minutes of the quarter once again. Junior
Kat Cabrera ended that drought with a series of jumpers, cutting Luther's lead to 13.
Today's loss marks the first time during the 2015-2016 season that Loras has been out-rebounded by an opponent, with Luther holding a 48-43 advantage.
UP NEXT
Next Wednesday the Duhawks travel to Cedar Rapids for an Iowa Conference matchup against Coe College. Earlier this season, Loras defeated the Kohawks 72-61 behind a 21 point performance from
Terese McMahon.
