Guard Katy Paxton knocked down a school-record seven 3-pointers and sparked a Central comeback from 10 points down with just over 5 minutes remaining. Paxton was 7-of-10 from beyond the arc, breaking the mark of six 3-pointers set by Abbie Brown (Jan. 10, 1998 vs. Coe) and tied by Paxton (2003-04 vs. Loras). Paxton also matched her career high point total, leading the Dutch with 21 before fouling out.
“Katy knew that we needed this game for an (Iowa Conference) tournament berth and really took ownership as a senior,” said coach Natalie Nakic. “21 points in 19 minutes is incredible.”
Forward Emily De Jong scored 15 points while going a perfect 8-of-8 from the charity stripe and collecting seven rebounds. Guards Morgan Martin and Laura Porter finished with 11 and 12 points respectively, with Porter also giving out eight assists.
The Dutch trailed 35-33 after a tightly contested first half that saw four lead changes and six ties. A stalemate second half was broken when the Knights engineered a 10-2 run to take a 59-49 lead with 6:37 remaining. Central responded with its own 11-4 run fueled by two Paxton 3-pointers, bring the Dutch within three with 2:23 to play. With leading scorers Paxton and De Jong fouled out, Martin hit a 3-pointer with 15 seconds remaining to bring the Dutch within two, and after two missed Wartburg free throws Central had 10 seconds for the potential game-winning shot which rolled around the rim at the buzzer before tumbling out.
“It was a great effort that just fell short,” said Nakic. “We’ll take the positive out of this game and use it tomorrow night.”
Central shot 38.5 percent on the game while the Knights connected on 47.9 percent of their attempts. Both teams had banner nights at the free throw line, with Central sinking 13-of-16 and Wartburg converting 26-of-33. The Dutch outrebounded the Knights 41-33. Wartburg placed four players in double figures.
“The sign of a good team is how well you rebound after a tough loss,” said Nakic.
In the regular-season home finale Central meets the University of Dubuque Saturday in a women’s-men’s doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. at P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium. The Spartans escaped the Dutch 78-77 at Dubuque Jan. 12. They’ll bring a 9-13 overall record and 3-10 league mark to Pella after falling to crosstown rival Loras College Friday 65-44. Saturday’s games will be broadcast on KRLS-FM (92.1) and can also be heard at www.kniakrls.com. Live stats will be available at the Central athletics Web site at www.central.edu/athletics.