Fast start but young Central women’s basketball squad falters
Central College
NORTHFIELD, MINN. — The learning curve for a young Central College women’s basketball team was anticipated, yet it’s nonetheless painful as a double-digit lead melted away in the second half for the second straight day Saturday.
Up 50-36 with 4:48 left in the third period, the Dutch (1-4) faltered down the stretch in a 64-62 loss to Carleton College (Minn.) Saturday. On Friday Central saw a 12-point advantage disappear in a 57-47 setback at St. Olaf College (Minn.).
Yet coach Chelsea Petersen continues to signs of progress. Freshman forward Claire Marburger (Perry) was in double digits for the fifth straight game with 18 points, while still not in optimal condition after missing nearly the entire preseason due to injury. The Dutch also got a boost from sophomore guard Jessica Helton (Nevada), who stepped up with 16 points and three steals.
“Jess had the best (first) half of basketball I’ve ever seen her play,” Petersen said. “We challenged her yesterday and she really responded.”
Central was sharp in taking a 38-30 halftime lead. The Dutch drilled 6-of-9 from 3-point range and were 6-of-6 at the free throw line while shooting 38.2 percent overall. But that was followed with a 1-of-13 3-point effort in the second half. Central shot just 53.8 percent from the free throw line and 24.2 percent overall.
“We played great for two quarters last night and for three quarters today,” Petersen said. “We were aggressive, we made reads and we rebounded the basketball. But the biggest area we need to work on moving forward is maintaining our focus for an entire game.”
Central was still on top 58-49 after three periods, only to get outscored 15-4 in the fourth quarter.
“If you can step up in those moments and stay poised, you can win games,” Petersen said. “But we have to learn how to handle runs. It’s a natural progression for youthful teams.”
Petersen also liked what she saw from Nicole Silvers (freshman, Byron, Ill.). She scored just two points but passed out seven assists after being inserted into the lineup at point guard Friday.
And Petersen cited forward Tina Lane (sophomore, Williamsburg), who missed action early in the season but had two rebounds and an assist in 11 minutes Saturday.
“Tina gave us a good spark,” Petersen said. “She brings energy to our rotation.”
Central will have a much-needed full week of practice before playing host to Grinnell College Monday, Dec. 7 in a 7 p.m. game at P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium. Grinnell took a 2-1 record into a Saturday contest with Beloit College (Wis.) and has two games next week before traveling to Pella.
A video webcast and live stats will be available through the Central athletics website at www.central.edu/athletics.
