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The Central College women’s basketball team landed the opening blow, but then a veteran University of Wisconsin-Stout squad turned up the defensive intensity as the Dutch tumbled 68-49 in the Wisconsin-Eau Claire Tip-Off Tournament Friday.

In the season opener for both teams, Wisconsin-Stout was staggered by Central’s 11-0 opening run as the Dutch needed just 2:37 to score their first 11 points, getting three 3-pointers. After the opening flurry, the Dutch managed just nine points the rest of the half and trailed 35-20 at intermission. Central put up just eight shots in the second quarter against a stifling Blue Devils defense. The Dutch responded in the third quarter as they sliced a 17-point lead to 46-38 before Wisconsin-Stout pulled away in the fourth. Central actually outshot Wis.-Stout from the floor, 42.5% to 39.7% but took 23 less shots, while committing 25 turnovers and being outrebounded 34-29. Guard Samantha Scott had 10 points while Emily Naughton added nine. Guard Abby Johnson had six rebounds.

Central takes on tourney host Wisconsin-Eau Claire today at 6 p.m.