ST. LOUIS, MO.—The Central College women's basketball team got the shots it was looking for but couldn't convert in a 75-69 defeat at Webster Univ. (Mo.) Saturday afternoon.

The Dutch hit a chilly 36.4 percent from the floor and saw an early 11-point lead melt away. Central (3-6) was quick out of the blocks yet again, opening up a 22-11 bulge with 7:40 left in the first half, only to see Webster (5-3) reel off nine unanswered points as part of a 20-2 run. The Gorloks were up 32-29 at halftime.

Central briefly regained the lead early in the second half, before Webster took command again, 55-45 with 9:03 left. The Dutch climbed to within 56-52 at the 8:07 mark, but never got closer than five the rest of the way.

"We had tons of opportunities, we just didn't make some easy shots," coach Jerry Nikkel said. "Most of our misses were inside. But we played hard. We were cutting well and making decent passes. We gave ourselves opportunities."

Forward AJ Baker had 15 points and five rebounds while forward Kelsey Schuring had 13 points and six boards and guard Jordan Waddell had 10 points. Forward Haley Brillhart had a team-best seven rebounds and three assists.

Webster (Mo.) shot 40.7 percent from the field and outrebounded Central 45-40.

The Dutch take next week off for final fall semester exams, then close their pre-Christmas slate with a non-conference contest against Grand View Univ. Saturday at 2 p.m. at P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium. Live stats and a video webcast of the game will be available through the Central athletics website (www.central.edu/athletics).

Grand View blasted the Dutch 82-53 in the 2009-10 season opener and leads in the teams' all-time series, 16-11. The NAIA Vikings are 4-10 but have played a demanding schedule and own a 70-69 victory over Iowa Conference co-leader Simpson College Nov. 15.