DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Loras College women's basketball team defeated the Prairie Wolves of Nebraska Wesleyan University on Saturday afternoon. This win keeps the Duhawks hopes of an American Rivers Conference Tournament bid alive heading into their final regular season game.
Loras controlled the game from the beginning, jumping out to an eight-point (11-3) lead in the first five minutes of play despite ball control struggles from both sides. Stifling Duhawk defense prevented the Prairie Wolves from scoring consistently in the first quarter, and a floater from Lexi Sabado solidified the Duhawks' first quarter lead 15-6.
Nebraska Wesleyan's Anastyn Pettlon got the scoring started in the second quarter with a layup to tighten the score down to seven (15-8). The Duhawks took control from that point on, extending their lead to as much as ten with some sharp shooting from Ashtyn Kelderman. The Purple and Gold would hold their lead for the rest of the quarter and enter the halftime break with a nine-point lead (31-22).
The third quarter was a great time to be a Loras Duhawk. Kiah Davis got the scoring started for the Purple and Gold and the team did not look back as they utterly dominated the Prairie Wolves for the whole third quarter. Back-to-back three balls from Kylie Rigby and Kelderman extended the Duhawk lead to 19 (43-24) halfway through the third quarter. Another basket later in the quarter by Kelderman gave the Duhawks a 23-point lead (47-24). Nebraska Wesleyan was able to put a few shots through the net, but it wasn't enough. Loras finished the third quarter with a 25-point lead (57-32). As a team, the Duhawks shot 80% (12-15) from the field in the third quarter.
The fourth and final frame was much of the same for the Duhawks. A layup from Emma Webb extended the Duhawk lead to 31 (66-35) halfway through the quarter. The Nebraska Wesleyan efforts were not enough to close the lead down the stretch, and Coach Justin Busch took the opportunity to empty the bench late in the fourth quarter. In a touching moment, Coach Busch subbed all of his available seniors back into the game so that they could finish their final home game together. The Duhawks walked away with a resounding 68-40 Senior Day victory.
The Duhawks were led by Claire Wagner who had 20 points and 5 rebounds on 67% (8-12) shooting, followed by Kelderman with 14 points, and Davis with 12. As a team, the Purple and Gold shot 52% (28-54) from the field and 23% (5-22) from beyond the arc.
Up Next: The Duhawks will travel to Storm Lake, Iowa to take on the Beavers of Buena Vista university on Saturday, Feb 21. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
