DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – The Loras women's basketball team completed a season sweep of Central on Wednesday night, cruising to a 68-51 victory. Four Duhawks recorded double-digit performances including senior Kaitlin Phillips, who with her eighth point of the night became the ninth member of Loras' 1,000 Point Club. Phillips had 14 points on the night and dished out five assists.

TURNING POINT
The entirety of the third quarter was a turning point for the Duhawks (16-8, 9-4 IIAC) as they came out of the locker room ready to play. The team sunk four 3-pointers in the frame, outscoring the Dutch (4-20, 1-12 IIAC) 18-10. This allowed Loras to take a double-digit lead, a lead that they would refuse to relinquish.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
Despite winning the opening tip, the Duhawks did not get on the board until their third possession of the game. Turnovers were an issue for both Central and Loras, as each team tallied six in the first quarter alone. The Duhawks struggled with ball movement as most of their turnovers were a result of poor passes.

After exchanging baskets for the opening minutes, the Duhawks finally found their rhythm. They held Central scoreless for the final three minutes and ended the quarter with eight unanswered points that featured back-to-back layups from senior Megan Jones. This gave the Duhawks an 18-9 advantage entering the second quarter.

Second Quarter
The Dutch began to mount a comeback in the second as they scored the first three points of the period, led by Claire Marburger, who finished with 27 points on the night. Marburger scored Central's first six points of the quarter. Loras continued to struggle with turnovers which allowed Central to close the gap.

Still, the Duhawks continued to put points on the board. With a layup at the 6:13 mark of the quarter, Phillips became the ninth person in the history of the program to score 1,000 career points. After her layup, the rest of the period featured several lead changes. Nevertheless, the Duhawks maintained a 30-28 lead at halftime.

Third Quarter
The Duhawks came out of the locker room with renewed energy as Jones drained a trey to open the quarter. Long-range shooting proved to be a strength for the team in the second half as they converted on seven from behind the arc.

This success from the perimeter resulted in Loras garnering a double-digit lead over the Dutch. Jones, Phillips and sophomore Miranda Chapman contributed to the 3-point effort. The Duhawks once again owned the glass, both on the offensive and defensive half of the court, finishing with a +19 rebounding margin.

Before the end of the third quarter ceased, Central cut the 15-point deficit to 10 with five points from Marburger, ending the quarter with Loras in front, 48-38.

Fourth Quarter 
Loras' 10-point lead turned into a 15-point lead with just over five minutes to play in the fourth quarter. Obendorf fueled the Duhawks in the early minutes, scoring back-to-back-to-back layups. At the end of the day, Obendorf recorded her 11th double-double of the season, finishing with 17 points and 13 rebounds.

The Dutch refused to concede but struggled to make headway into the deficit created by the Duhawks. Central was limited to 29.6 shooting in the second half, which hampered the comeback effort. Loras benefited from four double-digit scoring nights and 14 points off the bench, completing the season sweep of the Dutch, winning 68-51.

FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME
Kaitlin Phillips | In the second quarter of the game, Phillips scored a layup to become the ninth women's basketball player to join Loras' 1,000 Point Club. Phillips finished the night with 14 points, five assists and five rebounds.

SOUNDBITES | Kaitlin Phillips & Megan Jones

SOUNDBITES | Justin Heinzen

UP NEXT
The Duhawks will play their final home game of the regular season on Saturday against Simpson. The Storm (15-9, 8-5 IIAC) defeated Buena Vista 71-64 on Wednesday. Simpson won the first meeting this season, 81-53. Entering the final day of the regular season, Loras is in sole possession of second place. A win on Saturday will seal a first-round bye in the conference tournament.

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