Central Pulls Away In Closing Seconds From Women's Hoops
Feb 2, 2019
DUBUQUE, Iowa – The University of Dubuque women’s basketball team hung with the Central College Dutch for all 40 minutes on Saturday afternoon but came up just short against the Dutch, falling by a score of 66-59.
The Spartans fell in a quick 4-0 hole but stormed back with five straight points of their own to take an early of their own. The lead would last just 1:42 before the Dutch regained the lead. Over the course of the first half, the Dutch led by no more than five points and the teams were tied at five different points, but at no time could the Spartans ever regain the lead and went into halftime down 30-28 after two Central free throws with three seconds left in the second quarter gave them the lead.
At several points in the first 15 minutes of the second half, it looked as if the Dutch would run away from the Spartans but UD always had an answer to keep it close. Central grew their largest lead of the day to nine with 5:49 left in the contest. A McKenzie Maash layup for UD sparked a Spartan rally. The Spartans quickly cut it down to a one possession game after two straight lay-ups by Kia Dwight. A third effort, Miah Smith lay-up put the Spartans within two points with 2:08 remaining but they would not be able to get any closer as the Dutch would close out the game at the free throw line.
Kia Dwight was the main force behind the Spartan offense against the Dutch, dropping 18 points and dishing out four assists. Dwight also was a force on defense, collecting five steals and even blocking one shot. UD got a pair of eight point efforts from post players Miah Smith and McKenzie Maahs. Both players nearly missed having a double-double as well, as they both captured 10 rebounds, eight defensive and two offensive.
The Spartans are right back at home on Wednesday when Coe College comes to town. Game time is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. in the Stoltz Sports Center.
