Cold shooting from the floor attributed to yet another slow start for the Central women’s basketball team that left them in too large of a hole to dig out from against Wartburg College on Saturday. The Knights defeated the Dutch 85-60, as Central shot just 29 percent from the floor, including 22 percent in the first half. After scoring just 2 points through the first 20 minutes, sophomore Haley Brillhart turned things up in the second half and finished with 14 points and 6 rebounds to lead the Dutch. The loss to Wartburg dropped Central to 2-18 overall and 1-10 in the Iowa Conference, while extending their losing skid to thirteen games. The Dutch are on the road next week, starting with the University of Dubuque on Wednesday.

Staying in line with this season’s first meeting between the two teams, the Central men and Wartburg would go down to the wire yet again – and then some. The Dutch were able to fend off a fourth quarter rally by the Knights that forced an extra period before closing out the game in overtime 78-76. Wartburg held the momentum early in the game, as they jumped out to an 11-3 lead; but a pair of lay-ups by Ley and a technical foul on Wartburg Coach Dick Peth allowed the Dutch to claw back into the game, which remained within six points for the duration of the game. Leading the Central charge on offense was guard Miguel Ley, who finished with 19 points, including sinking 9-of-11 free throws. Teammate Loren Liming also had a big afternoon for the Dutch, as he pulled down a game-high 16 rebounds to go along with 15 points. Mark Holan and Zach Cooper added 16 and 15 points, respectively, in the win. The Central men are now 16-4 overall, and 9-2 in Iowa Conference play going into Wednesday’s game at the University of Dubuque.