WAVERLY, Iowa – The Luther College women's basketball team hit a bit of a snag Wednesday evening. After another dominant win over an American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) foe on Saturday, the Norse were looking for their second consecutive conference win, this time over league-leader Wartburg College. Despite a strong comeback in the second half, Luther was unable to overcome an 11 point first half deficit, falling to the Knights by a final score of 66-59. With the loss, the Norse are now 12-9 overall and 7-5 in A-R-C play.
BY THE NUMBERS
Things did not look good for Luther early in the contest, despite both teams scoring on their first possessions of the ball game. After Wartburg connected for three 14 seconds into the game, Jordan Rubie (Winona, MInn. / Cotter) scored the first basket for the Norse on the ensuing possession, making it 3-2 and seemingly setting the tone for a competitive first half. However, that was the last basket Luther would score for nearly four minutes, as the Knights raced out to a 12-2 lead with 6:33 remaining in the first quarter.
The Norse showed life in the final four minutes of the first, whittling Wartburg's lead to 17-11 with an 8-1 one to end the quarter. Unfortunately, the momentum did not carry over to the second, as the Knights again extended their lead to double-digits. A 5-0 run for Wartburg extended the home team's lead to 15 points, before baskets by Chelin Isaacson (Superior, Colo. / Monarch), Megan Miller (Urbandale, Iowa / Des Moines Christian) and Rubie pulled Luther within 11, as the Norse trailed 32-21 entering the locker room at half.
The third quarter is when Luther finally hit its stride, as the Norse clogged the paint and slowed down the game, making life difficult for the Knights. Trailing 38-25, Miller kickstarted Luther's run with a three-pointer and a defensive rebound, allowing Emilee Burcharm-Scofield to pull the Norse within 10 at 38-30 on their very next offensive possession. Rubie then brought the team within striking distance, as her three made it 38-33 Wartburg with 4:17 remaining in the quarter.
Luther struggled to find consistency, though, as the Knights again went on a run to regain a 10 point advantage. Still the Norse battled, pulling within six thanks to another Rubie three entering the final quarter. For the final 10 minutes, Luther remained within striking distance of its opponent, with Miller pulling the Norse within a possession with 2:00 left on the clock. The sophomore hit a clutch three after two defensive stops, allowing Luther to whittle Wartburg's lead to 58-55. That was the closest the Norse would come to catching the Knights. As the minutes dwindled, Luther was forced to foul, and while Wartburg missed a handful of shots from the charity stripe, the Norse were unable to take advantage, falling by a final score of 66-59.
TOP NORSE
- Jordan Rubie (Winona, Minn. / Cotter) put up career numbers Wednesday evening, as she scored a team-leading and career-high 21 points on 8-10 shooting, including a 5-7 mark from beyond the arc. The junior also recorded five rebounds, one assist, and two steals.
- Megan Miller (Urbandale, Iowa / Des Moines Christian) also scored in double-digits, adding 13 points for Luther with six assists.
- Kailey Jones (Avoca, Iowa / AHSTW) recorded 10+ rebounds for the third time in four games, as she pulled in a team-leading 10 Wednesday night, while Kate Hosking (Slinger, Wis. / Slinger) tied her career-high with nine.
UP NEXT
The Norse will return home for their next A-R-C contest, as they are set to host Simpson College in a key conference game on Saturday, February 4. Tip off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in Decorah, Iowa.
