Dutch women start new year with basketball triumph

PELLA – Ending a three-game losing skid in its first contest of 2026, the Central College women’s basketball team defeated Bethany Lutheran College (Minn.) 68-58 Saturday afternoon.

The Vikings (3-10) raced out to a 10-0 lead to start the game, but the Dutch (7-5) rallied with a 16-2 run to end the first quarter.

Emily Naughton (junior, Indianola) led all scorers with 19, dropping 15 in the second half. Bailey Reding (senior, Grundy Center) also had a big day with 12 points. Maddie Backer (freshman, New Ulm, Minn.) gave Central a third player in double figures with 10 points.

Kaitlyn Mumm (junior, Waukee, Des Moines Christian HS) snared 11 rebounds to lead the Dutch. McKenzie Snook and CeCe Moore (junior, Waterloo, West HS) added seven apiece.

Central hosts Loras College on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.in P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium.