Dine shooting sparks Central in women’s basketball win
Central College
PELLA — Guard Emily Dine (sophomore, Oldsmar, Fla., East Lake HS) delivered the outside shooting the Central College women’s basketball team was searching for Saturday, knocking down six 3-point baskets and erupting for a career-high 22 points in a 73-65 triumph over Fontbonne University (Mo.).
That snapped a seven-game skid for the young Dutch, who started three sophomores and two freshmen Saturday.
“I was really proud of our team’s effort and just the focus we had,” coach Chelsea Petersen. “We didn’t play particularly well Thursday night (a 43-37 loss to Martin Luther at New Ulm, Minn.), but to come off of that and have the focus and attitude that we did is rewarding. They really worked hard to have that result.”
Dine finished one 3-point basket shy of the school record. Central held a 35-32 lead at intermission but trailed 50-45 midway through the third quarter. The Dutch finished the period on a 6-0 run, only to trail again, 54-51 with 8:54 left. But Dine hit four threes in a little over three minutes, putting Central on top to stay, 65-58.
“We’ve been challenging Emily to step up with her perimeter shooting and she did,” Petersen said. “She’s been working really hard to be in this position. That really opens up the inside for (forwards) Claire Marburger (freshman, Perry), Tina Lane (sophomore, Williamsburg) and Jackie Kriegel (sophomore, Marengo). We got a great effort from our posts.”
Marburger finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and three blocks while Kriegel had 13 points, seven boards and three steals and Lane had 12 points, six rebounds and two blocks.
Central was outrebounded 37-35 but hit 42 percent from the field—including 41.2 percent from 3-point range–while Fontbonne (1-6) shot 40.6 percent. The Dutch recorded six blocks. Guard Nicole Silvers (freshman, Byron, Ill.) had eight assists.
Petersen also liked the poise her young club showed down the stretch.
“That’s the first time this year we were able to put together four full quarters, handle another team’s run and finish the game,” she said. “We were much smarter in our perimeter shot selection and avoided all the things that have led to losses. It all came together.”
The Dutch break for the Christmas holiday before traveling to Colorado Springs for the Colorado College Winter Invitational Dec, 28-29. The Dutch take on host Colorado College Dec. 28 at 2 p.m. (Mountain Standard Time). The Tigers are 1-8. The other first-round game features Hamline (Minn.) and Wis.-La Crosse.
Petersen credited her players for not letting a string of early season narrow losses affect their attitude or effort.
“They’ve continued to be positive, stick together as a team and stay committed to the core values and vision we have for the program,” she said. “It’s nice to be able to finish a game like this and put ourselves in a good position going into the Colorado tournament.”
