For the second time this season the Central College women's basketball team led Coe College after three quarters and for the second time the Dutch came away winless, tumbling 76-71 in overtime Wednesday night.
           
Coe outscored Central in the final period 29-15 to force the overtime. The Dutch (6-12 overall, 2-7 American Rivers) were up 50-36 after three periods and still led 61-55 with 58 seconds remaining. But Central failed to hit a field goal in the final 6:30 and Coe tied it with a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left as the Kohawks scored 10 points in the final minute.
           
Coe (11-8 overall, 5-5 conference) took command in the overtime and was up 70-65 with 3 minutes left before the Dutch came surging back on a couple of power moves to the bucket by forward Sami Craig (sophomore, Altoona, Southeast Polk HS). The Dutch forced a missed shot and took possession down just 72-71 with 11 seconds left but turned the ball over to let Coe put the game away.
           
Central suffered a 52-48 defeat at Coe Dec. 5 after leading 41-39 at the start of the fourth period.
           
"The last two minutes (of regulation) they made some tough, contested shots," said coach Joe Steinkamp. "We defended well in the half-court all night but when they had to go quick and make some desperation plays, they made them. It was an unbelievable comeback by Coe."
           
Guard Kristin Hubert (senior, Hornick, Woodbury Central HS) had 15 points for Central while forward Kendall Brown (junior, Moravia) and guard Emily Hay (sophomore, Stanwood, North Cedar HS) each had 10. Brown added to her league-leading blocked shots total with four. She and guard Maci Gambell (freshman, Hedrick, Pekin HS) each had nine rebounds.
           
Central outshot the Kohawks 42.3 percent to 42.0 and outrebounded them 39-38 but committed 26 turnovers.
           
The Dutch were clicking for three quarters, particularly from long range. They hit 12 3-pointers on the night, including four by Hubert and three by Hay.
           
"We made a lot of shots," Steinkamp said. "I thought our guards played with a lot of confidence and we played good defense. Through three quarters, that really was our best all-around game.
           
"It was a good game for Kristin Hubert and I thought Emily Hay had a nice game off the bench. Some of the players we think are good shooters are starting to make shots, so that's good to see."
           
Aside from the turnovers, the other disappointing stat line was free throws, where Central was 15 of 25.
           
"We made some big free throws in the fourth quarter but we missed several earlier when we really could have extended the lead." Steinkamp said.
           
And now Central must head to Waverly Saturday to tackle No. 21-rated Wartburg College in a women's-men's league doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. The Knights are 16-3 overall and 9-1 in the league, taking over sole possession of first place Wednesday night with a 68-49 home-court thumping of Loras College. Wartburg needed a late comeback to overtake Central 55-43 at Pella Jan. 5.
           
Despite the disappointing night, Steinkamp is still seeing progress in his young club.
           
"As long was we keep working hard and learning from our mistakes, we'll continue to grow," he said.
           
Saturday's games will be broadcast on KRLS-FM (92.1) with Cory Houser and can also be heard via www.kniakrls.com.