Behind a lockdown defense and several crucial free throws, the Pella girls basketball was able to break open a tight ball game in the final minutes, as they defeated Norwalk 48-39 last night on the road.

The Lady Warriors held a 23-17 lead at halftime, but Pella cut down its turnovers in the second half and climbed into the lead for the first time since the game’s opening basket with 3:34 remaining in the third quarter. Norwalk would tie the game one final time in the fourth quarter at 30-30 before the Lady Dutch would answer with a 12-0 run to put away the win.

A key to Pella’s success was the number of times the Lady Dutch got to the free throw line, as they converted on 17-of-28 foul shots. Kelsey Fynaardt went 5-for-6 at the charity stripe on her way to a team-best 13 points. She also finished with a game-high 7 rebounds.

The Pella girls are now 6-1 in the Little Hawkeye Conference entering a non-conference meeting today with Fairfield.