PELLA, Iowa-- The No. 23/24 Wartburg women's basketball team (11-2 overall, 4-0 American Rivers) remained undefeated in conference play in its 55-43 win over Central Saturday. The Knights moved their winning streak to five and the series winning streak to 13.

Junior Emma Gerdes (Cedar Falls) led the team with 15 points as she finished a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line. Freshman Bailey Brown (Davenport) joined her in double figures with a career-best 10 points.

Junior Amanda Brainerd (DeWitt) had a career day on the glass with her 12 rebounds. This is her new career mark for her time at both Wartburg and Wayne State.

The Orange and Black took the 12-9 lead after the first quarter, but the Dutch used a 15-9 second frame to take the three-point lead (24-21) into the locker room. Central was bringing the ball up and attempted a half court shot and was fouled with no time remaining. The Dutch player was awarded three free throws, but only made one.

Wartburg evened the score at 30 all with 2:15 to go in the third, but Central quickly built its lead to three on a three-point play (layup and the and-one). 

Towards the end of the stanza, sophomore Kaitlyn Volesky (Mount Vernon) made both of her free throws to make it a one-point game in favor of the home team (35-34).

The Knights began their big fourth quarter (21-8 scoring effort) with a 6-0 run over the first nearly four minutes to take the five-point lead (40-35). A strong defensive effort did not allow a made basket by the Dutch over the last 3:34 of the game to seal the win.

The Orange and Black owned all three team shooting percentage categories, the rebound battle (45-39), and assists (13-7).

Wartburg returns to action Wednesday when it hosts Luther at 6 p.m.