WAVERLY, Iowa  - The No. 5 Wartburg women's basketball team dropped its first conference match to No. 14/19 ranked Loras on Saturday. 

The Duhawks started out the game with a one point lead at the end of the first. Going neck-in-neck the entire quarter, when a set of free throws by Loras gave the team a one point lead.

In the second, a three by Katie Lindeman gave the Orange and Black a two-point lead with 8:42 left. The Knights broke away at the end of the half after senior Emma Gerdes notched a three to give Wartburg a five point lead.

Wartburg led Loras 44-39 heading into the locker rooms. 

Coming into the second half of the game, both teams went back and forth. A layup by junior Bailey Naig gave the Knights a five point advantage with just under three minutes left, when a three by the Duhawks brought the game back within two points.

With 3:09 left in the match, a three by the Duhawks secured an advantage over the Knights. A layup by Gerdes with six seconds left brought the game within two points. Loras connected with two free throws in the final seconds to secure a 82-78 win. 

Gerdes and senior Amanda Brainerd each notched 15 points for the Knights, followed by Naig who contributed 13 points and junior Ally Conrad who made 12. Six other Knights scored with 28 points coming from the bench. Wartburg was 29-of-58 in field goal shooting and 10-15 from the free throw line.

Next up, the Knights host Luther on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Tip-off is at 5:30 p.m.