Central women’s basketball team wins home opener

Central College

PELLA — The Central College women’s basketball team turned 27 Blackburn (Ill.) turnovers into 26 points Friday night en route to a 71-50 win.

The Dutch (2-0) got off to a fast start, scoring 20 of the game’s first 26 points thanks to three early 3-pointers by guard Mariah Swartzentruber (sophomore, Kalona, Mid-Prairie HS).

“Mariah came out in the first half and made some big shots early on that helped us build a lead,” said coach Chelsea Petersen.

Central led most of the first half by double digits, but Blackburn (0-2) closed the gap to 38-34 at halftime thanks to 17 first-half points by forward Briana Rae. The Dutch defense improved in the second half, holding Rae to four points after halftime and the Beavers to just 16 points as a team.

“In the second half we really encouraged our post players to do a better defensive job on her and encouraged our guards and other four players on the court to have more awareness of the passes going into her,” said Petersen. “Our defensive effort in the second half was outstanding.”

Central applied more pressure on defense in the second half and forced 15 turnovers.

“Our players really respond to the full-court press,” said Petersen. “They play with a lot of energy. We forced Blackburn into some turnovers in the second half that led to more possessions on the offensive end for us.”

Guard Rachel Evans (senior, Fort Dodge) was all over the court in the second half, scoring 12 of her team-high 13 points after halftime. She also grabbed three rebounds and had four steals in the second half, giving her six rebounds and six steals for the game.

“Rachel did a great job early on in the second half of getting in passing lanes and converting layups on the other end,” said Petersen.

The scoring was balanced for Central as Swartzentruber finished with 10 points and guard Kaitlin Stump (junior, Lancaster, Mo., Schuyler R-1 HS) and forward Tina Lane (freshman, Williamsburg) each added nine.

“For us every given night we could have a different high scorer,” said Petersen.

The Central coach liked what she saw out of forward Maddie Simmons (freshman, Elkhorn, Neb., South HS) and center Kelsey Ratchford (freshman, Independence). Ratchford scored four points late with Simmons assisting on both baskets.

“At the end of the game I thought Maddie Simmons and Kelsey Ratchford combined for a great inside-out look,” said Petersen. “Blackburn had a hard time containing them when they were on the court.”

Forward Jackie Kriegel (freshman, Marengo, Iowa Valley HS) grabbed a team-high seven rebounds for Central, and guard Kenzie Vander Molen (senior, Pella) had a team-high five assists.

The Dutch will be back on the court for a home game against Waldorf (0-7) Saturday at 2 p.m.