WAVERLY, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – The Loras women's basketball team suffered its fourth conference loss on Wednesday to Wartburg on the road. The Duhawks (14-8, 7-4 IIAC) struggled on offense, shooting 33.9 percent from the floor. Meanwhile, the Knights (16-6, 6-5 IIAC) employed a tough defense and took advantage of their free-throw opportunities in the final quarter to top the Duhawks, 60-50.

TURNING POINT
The Duhawks and Knights were neck-and-neck for the first three quarters of the game as neither team could garner a sufficient lead. With 5:37 remaining in the game, Wartburg completed a 9-4 run to open a 46-41 lead. This provided the Knights with enough momentum to extend their lead in the final minutes and secure their victory.    

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
Unlike Loras' usual fast-paced energy to start the game, the Duhawks and the Knights struggled on offense as neither team could get shots to fall. Loras shot 33.3 percent from the floor compared to Wartburg's 32.3 percent in the first half.   

The Duhawks managed to create a 9-4 lead late in the first quarter, but a consecutive layup and 3-pointer by the Knights tied the game at 9-all. Part of the issue for the Duhawks was the absence of junior Lori Obendorf. Obendorf tallied two fouls early and only played in the first four minutes of the half. After another basket from each team, the score was tied 11-11 after 10 minutes.      

Second Quarter
Wartburg pulled ahead to start the second quarter with back-to-back layups by Miranda Murphy and Kristie Sommer. The Duhawks responded with six unanswered points to take a 17-15 lead with 7:53 remaining in the second. This back-and-forth action continued throughout the game, as neither team could create a significant advantage.

The exchanging of baskets continued through the end of the period leaving the Duhawks trailing 23-21 at halftime.     

Third Quarter
The closeness in score continued through the second half as the game consisted of eight lead changes and was tied six times. Strong defensive efforts for both teams limited opportunities to score.

With 1:14 remaining in the third, Wartburg pulled out to a 35-32 lead. Loras in turn responded with a 3-pointer by freshman Jess Brown with 26 seconds left from the corner to bring the game level at 35 to end the third quarter.

Fourth Quarter
The Knights finally managed to create a gap between the two teams early in the fourth quarter. A 9-4 run gave Wartburg a 46-41 lead just before the halfway mark.

It seemed as though the Duhawks were in the drivers' seat down the stretch as the Knights have five team fouls early. Unfortunately, Loras could only manage to connect on 5-of-7 free throws. In turn, Wartburg played clean basketball and limited their fouls down the stretch. When it was their turn at the charity stripe, the Knights managed to hold on to their lead, going 8-of-12 from the line.

In the end, the Duhawks simply didn't have enough in the tank to complete the comeback, falling 60-50.

FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME
Terese McMahon | On a night where the offense wasn't up to its normal average and her low-post cohort found herself in foul trouble, McMahon did what she could to hold down the fort, finishing with eight points and eight rebounds.

UP NEXT
The Duhawks will travel to Storm Lake, Iowa on Saturday to face Buena Vista. The Beavers (14-8, 8-3 IIAC) defeated Central 83-70 on Wednesday. With the win, Buena Vista moved into sole possession of second place in the conference standings. The Duhawks topped Buena Vista 73-71 earlier this season on a buzzer-beater by Lori Obendorf.