News Release

DECORAH, Iowa — Less than 24 hours after upsetting 18th ranked Simpson College, the Buena Vista University women's basketball team was edged by Luther College 72-69. The Beavers, who led 38-31 at halftime, made just one field goal in the final 3:50 of the game.

Anne Straate scored a game-high 26 points and collected 14 rebounds as Luther earned a split in the season series with the victory. The Norse increased their lead over the Beavers to two games for second place in the Iowa Conference.

Katie Maguire and Tracy Hartwig each scored 13 points for Buena Vista which was just 7 of 30 (23%) from the field in the second half. The Beavers took 16 three-point shots after halftime, and made only two of them.

Straate hit a free throw with 1:22 remaining to give Luther a 72-69 edge. On the next Buena Vista possession, Hartwig launched two three-point shots, but was unable to connect to tie the game.

Luther failed to add to its lead on its next possession, and Buena Vista took over with 27 seconds remaining. Maguire got off a would-be game-tying three-point shot just before the buzzer that missed the mark.

Jess Griggs contributed 12 points and a team-high six rebounds as Buena Vista fell to 14-9 on the season and 9-5 in the IIAC. Courtney Stoelk added 11 points off of the Beaver bench. Kelli Staley, who had reached double figures in every game she had played in this season, was held scoreless. She fouled out with seven minutes remaining in the game.

Christina Gaard added 12 points and eight assists for Luther, which improved to 18-4 and 11-3 in the conference. The Norse outrebounded the Beavers 44-30.

Buena Vista is currently tied for third place in the conference with Loras College, who lost to Simpson College on Saturday. The Beavers will return home on Wednesday, February 15 to host Wartburg College.

Buena Vista University vs Luther College
02/11/06 4:00 p.m. at Luther College Regents Center
At Luther College Regents Center

LUTHER COLLEGE 72, BUENA VISTA UNIVERSITY 69

BUENA VISTA UNIVERSITY
HARTWIG, Tracy 4-14 2-2 13; MAGUIRE, Katie 4-16 3-4 13; GRIGGS, Jess 2-10
7-9 12; STOELK, Courtney 4-5 0-0 11; MEYER, Lindsey 3-6 2-2 9; PUTNEY,
Melissa 2-2 0-0 4; EBEL, Katie 1-1 2-2 4; ERNST, Katie 1-2 1-1 3; STALEY,
Kelli 0-4 0-0 0. Totals 21-60 17-20 69.
LUTHER COLLEGE
STRAATE, Anne 11-14 4-6 26; GAARD, Christina 4-11 3-4 12; DUNNWALD, Danielle
4-6 0-0 11; SVIEN, Erica 4-6 1-2 9; O'BRIEN, Melissa 3-12 1-2 8; JENSEN,
Rachel 2-5 2-4 6; MILLER, Jackie 0-1 0-0 0; ERNST, Blair 0-1 0-0 0; EICHER,
Jill 0-3 0-0 0; BESTUL, Kylie 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 28-59 11-18 72.

Buena Vista University........   38   31  -   69
Luther College................   31   41  -   72

3-point goals-Buena Vista University 10-30 (STOELK, Courtney 3-4; HARTWIG,
Tracy 3-8; MAGUIRE, Katie 2-9; MEYER, Lindsey 1-2; GRIGGS, Jess 1-5; STALEY,
Kelli 0-2), Luther College 5-18 (DUNNWALD, Danielle 3-4; O'BRIEN, Melissa
1-9; GAARD, Christina 1-4; MILLER, Jackie 0-1). Fouled out--Buena Vista
University-STALEY, Kelli; ERNST, Katie, Luther College-DUNNWALD, Danielle.
Rebounds-Buena Vista University 30 (GRIGGS, Jess 6), Luther College 44
(STRAATE, Anne 14). Assists-Buena Vista University 16 (MAGUIRE, Katie 8),
Luther College 23 (GAARD, Christina 8). Total fouls-Buena Vista University
18, Luther College 20.