News Release

LA CROSSE, Wis. — For the second straight day, the Central College women’s basketball team couldn’t capitalize on a strong first half, suffering a 73-56 defeat at Wis.-La Crosse.

Competing in the Holiday Inn Express Invitational, the host school used a 21-4 run to start the second half, erasing a 31-25 Central lead at intermission. The Eagles, 4-1, forced 38 Dutch turnovers, just two shy of the Central school record, and turned those mistakes into 42 points. That was the big difference as Central (1-4) shot 47.7 percent from the floor to Wis.-La Crosse’s 40.6 percent and the Dutch were only outrebounded 36-34. But Wis.-La Crosse held a 12-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. And , after being held to 27.3 percent shooting in the first half, Wis.-La Crosse hit 54.8 percent after the break. Jana Merchlewitz had 19 points, five rebounds and three steals for the Eagles.

Central placed three players in double figures. Center Ashley Nekola and guard Rachel Lenox each had 15 points, five turnovers and two steals. Forward Morgan Martin had 12 points and forward Ann Mendenhall had 11 rebounds and four assists.

The Dutch get no favors from the schedule. Iowa Conference play opens Tuesday at Pella, playing host to league title contender Simpson College in a 6 p.m. contest that’s part of a women’s-men’s doubleheader at Kuyper Gym.