A productive second half provided a little encouragement in a losing cause but Coe College notched its 17th win in 19 games with a 70-60 decision over the Central College women's basketball team Saturday afternoon.

After mustering just a 24.1-percent shooting effort in a 19-point first half, Central (4-16 overall, 1-10 Iowa Conference) shot a respectable 45.5 percent in the second half and outscored the Kohawks 41-36.

"Our shot selection was better in the second half and we finished better," coach Jerry Nikkel said.

Forward Haley Brillhart had 12 points and three assists while forward Kelsey Schuring  added 11 points and forward Nicole Strasko had 10 points and five rebounds.

"Haley played quite well on offense," Nikkel said. "Our turnovers were down to 19—we can live with that. But our defense still has to get a lot better. We had too many people standing and reaching instead of moving their feet. That usually gets you a foul call."

Coe (17-2 overall, 9-1 conference) outshot Central for the game, 44.4 percent to 35.5 percent and outrebounded the Dutch, 45-36.

The Dutch return home for their final three games at P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium for the year, starting with a women's-men's doubleheader Wednesday against the Univ. of Dubuque. Game time is 6 p.m. Dubuque cruised past the Dutch 78-57 at Dubuque Jan. 17. The Spartans are 7-12 overall and 4-6 in the league after suffering an 81-64 home court loss to first-place Simpson College Saturday.

"We're home for three in a row and if we just go out and play hard, we've got a chance," Nikkel said.

A video webcast and live stats for Wednesday's games will be available through the Central athletics website at www.central.edu/athletics.