After playing a tight game for three quarters, Buena Vista University turned it in in the final period for a 78-68 win over the Central College women’s basketball team in the American Rivers Conference tournament quarterfinal.

A Maddie Backer layup at the end of the third quarter gave Central a 48-47 lead entering the final frame. Before the game hit the seven-minute mark in the fourth quarter, Dutch starters Emily Naughton and Kaitlyn Mumm were both sent to the bench after being whistled for their fourth fouls. Taking advantage of Central’s handcuffed defense, the Beavers offense piled up 31 points in the fourth quarter to pull away for the win. Backer and Jasmyn Williams led the Dutch with 12 points. CeCe Moore had 11 rebounds while McKenzie Snook had three steals. Naughton added nine points and a team-high four assists.

Central finished the season at 12-14 overall and appeared in the league’s postseason tournament in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2021.