Central College freshman guard Jenna Clark (Story City, Roland-Story HS) hit five first-half 3-point shots but American Rivers co-leader Loras College led wire-to-wire for a 71-49 women's basketball victory Saturday.
           
The Dutch (6-11 overall, 2-6 conference) fell behind 16-8 after one quarter but Clark helped keep the game close in the second period, hitting three 3's in a 4-minute span. Central couldn't come closer than four points, though, and trailed 32-22 at the break. Loras (14-3 overall, 7-1 conference) pulled away late as Central couldn't overcome a season-worst 35 turnovers in the game.
           
"The score kind of got away from us in the fourth quarter but we felt like through three-and-a-half we hung in there pretty good," Steinkamp said. "Their length was tough to overcome. They played a trapping zone that gave us a lot of trouble--35 turnovers is too many. That was the story of the game."
           
Clark began attracting plenty of defensive attention and was held scoreless in the second half but still led the Dutch with 17 points. Forward Kendall Brown (junior, Moravia) had eight points and a game-high seven rebounds. The league's blocked shots leader swatted another five. She has 45 for the season, 16 shy of Tracy Wilson's 1992-93 school mark. Forward Sami Craig (sophomore, Altoona, Southeast Polk HS) had six boards.
           
"Kendall is such a presence inside," Steinkamp said. "She rebounds and blocks shots and she did a great job of finishing around the rim when she had a chance. She just gives us so much on the defensive end."
           
Central was outrebounded 36-33 and shot 35.4 percent from the floor while hitting just 54.5 percent (6-11) from the free throw line.
           
The Dutch knocked down nine 3-pointers, which was encouraging, Steinkamp said.
           
"Kristen Hubert (senior, Hornick, Woodbury Central HS) was able to hit a couple, Maci Gambell (freshman, Hedrick, Pekin HS) hit a couple and Jenna had five, which was good to see," he said. "We've been shooting so poorly from behind the arc, it was good to get some players open and take the lid off the basket."
           
Central is home Wednesday for a league women's-men's doubleheader with Coe College starting at 6 p.m. at P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium. The Kohawks took a 10-6 record and a 4-3 league mark into a Saturday evening game at Simpson College. Coe had to rally to hold off Central 52-48 in the teams' first meeting Dec. 5 at Cedar Rapids.
           
Live stats and a video webcast of Wednesday's games can be accessed via athletics.central.edu.