Luther (11-4 overall, 6-1 Iowa Conference) used its size advantage to take command of the rebounding battle 32-21. Blair Ernst had 23 points and eight rebounds for the Norse. Guard Laura Porter was the only player to crack double figures for the Dutch (4-12 overall, 2-5 conference).
The defensive intensity was high on both ends as Central forced 25 Norse turnovers but committed 30 of its own. Norse guard Danielle Dunwald had six steals, breaking the school career record with 215.
“We didn’t attack their press,” coach Natalie Nakic said. “We worked all week on it in practice but we didn’t make good decisions.
“Defensively, we were not that bad. It was just a matter of not having any offensive rhythm.”
Luther never trailed although the game was tied 6-6 at the 14-minute mark of the first half before the Norse went on a 12-2 run and were up 35-22 at intermission. Central couldn’t get closer than nine the rest of the way.
Central shot 40 percent from the floor and was limited to just two-of-eight 3-point shots. Erin Benson led the Dutch rebounders with five.
Central is home again Saturday, taking on Coe College in an Iowa Conference women’s-men’s twinbill starting at 2 p.m. at P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium. The Kohawks are 2-3 in league play and 4-10 overall. Central and Coe split a pair of contests last year with the Dutch falling in overtime at Coe 74-71 before closing the season with a 76-63 victory at home.