News Release

PELLA, Iowa — Luther College knocked down six straight free throws in the final 44 seconds to hold off a stubborn Central College women’s basketball team, 70-61.

It was a significant turnaround from the teams’ first meeting in Decorah Jan. 5, when Luther hammered the Dutch, 61-33. But the Norse were able to get the road win and stay in the Iowa Conference title chase, improving to 10-2 in the league and 16-4 overall. Central is 4-10 in conference play and 7-15 overall.

Luther led 29-18 with 5 minutes, 14 seconds left in the first half when Central guard Katy Paxton busted a pair of 3-point goals and scored eight unanswered points to make it 29-26. Another Paxton 3-pointer at the 1:50 mark knotted the score at 32-32, before Luther was able to grab a 36-32 advantage going into the break.

The Norse took control in the second half, expanding the lead to 59-46 with six minutes remaining when Central made a final surge, getting as close as five, but Luther’s Jill Eichner swished four straight free throws and Christina Gaard sank two more to close it out.

Central forward Ashley Nekola had 13 points and eight rebounds. Forward Morgan Martin had 12 points and eight boards and Paxton finished with 11 points.

Sara Laposky had 13 points for the Norse, who outshot Central 45.5 percent to 40.4 and outboarded the Dutch, 35-33 while forcing 24 turnovers.

Central has a break from conference play this weekend, playing host to Robert Morris (Ill.) Saturday at 1 p.m. at Kuyper Gym.