The Central College women’s basketball team went on a late second-half surge but it wasn’t enough as Luther College toppled the Dutch 64-46 Wednesday night.  Down 31-13 at the half, the Dutch shot just 14 percent from the floor before intermission. The Norse extended the lead to 26 before Central went on a 16-2 run at 9:22 to narrow the gap to 12. But it was too late in the game for the Dutch as Luther held on with a 10-4 run.

Guard Sarah Paulson led the Dutch offense with 16 points in her first game of the season after spending the fall semester in Europe through the Central Abroad program.  Forwards Haley Brillhart, AJ Baker and Nicole Strasko each had five rebounds. Baker and Brillhart also charted four steals.

The Central Women are now 3-9 overall and 0-3 in the Iowa Conference and will host 10-2 Coe on Saturday in Pella.