DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Loras College women's basketball team lost an overtime nail-biter, 62-58, against the Luther College Norse Wednesday evening on Birkestrand Family Court in Decorah, Iowa.  

Luther (8-7 overall, 4-2 American Rivers Conference) controlled the game for the majority of the first half, jumping out to an 11-point lead in the first quarter. The Duhawks (5-11, 1-6) started the second quarter hot, getting a block from Emma Thompson followed by a score from Thompson that helped boost momentum to start the second quarter. The Norse quickly regained this momentum, however, and went into half with a 33-19 lead. 

Kylie Rigby started the second half strong for Loras with a three-pointer off an assist from Claire Wagner that jump started a 7-0 run to cut the Norse lead down to seven (33-26). Luther regained momentum once again, but the Duhawks continued to close the lead, ending the third quarter down 45-40.  

In the 4th quarter, the Duhawks tied the game at 54 with 1:12 remaining thanks to a layup from Wagner and subsequently took the lead with a steal and a layup from Kiah Davis. The game remained close for the remainder of the fourth quarter, and the game went into overtime after a game winner from Rigby was blocked by Luther's Haylie Strum.  

The Norse controlled the overtime period, allowing only one basket from the Purple and Gold in five minutes of overtime and the Duhawks fell to the Norse, 62-58. 

Claire Wanger led all scorers with 17 points on 8-of-17 shooting and grabbed a season-high 15 rebounds. Davis followed with 11 points for Loras while Ashtyn Kelderman added seven. 

Luther was led by Abigail Panka with 16 points followed by Natalie Beaver with 15 points. The Norse capitalized from the free throw line, converting on 23-of-25 attempts in the win. 

Up Next: The Duhawks will travel to Lincoln, Neb. to take on the Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves this Saturday, Jan. 17. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.