Balanced scoring attack leads Dutch women’s basketball team over Scots
Central College
PELLA — The holiday rust lingered for a few minutes before the Central College women’s basketball team pulled away from Monmouth College (Ill.) in a 65-44 non-conference victory Wednesday.
Coming off an 11-day break, Central (8-2) missed six of its first seven shots before settling in to knock down 11-of-26 the rest of the half.
The Dutch had four players score in double digits for the first time this season.
Sophomore forward Claire Marburger (Perry) led all scorers with 15 points and added seven rebounds in just 24 minutes of action, sophomore guard Kaitlyn Johnson (Stockport, Van Buren HS) had 13 points, five rebounds and four assists, junior guard Emily Dine (Oldsmar, Fla., East Lake HS) had 11 points and junior forward Jackie Kriegel (Marengo, Iowa Valley HS) added 10 points, six rebounds and four assists.
“We were able to be more balanced today,” said coach Chelsea Petersen. “Claire led all scorers and had a good game. Kaitlyn Johnson shot 4-for-7 from the perimeter tonight and was outstanding. Emily struggled a little bit in the first half but found her stroke in the second half. Jackie did a nice job scoring today as well.”
The Scots won the rebound battle 39-37 but the Dutch forced 26 turnovers and held Monmouth to 28.8 percent shooting from the field. Central shot38.9 percent.
Junior forward Alison Malaby (Mechanicsville, North Cedar HS) had a career-high five steals.
“Alison played great defensively for us,” said Petersen.
Central finishes up non-conference play Friday traveling to Webster Groves, Mo. for a 6 p.m. contest against Webster University (Mo.). The Gorloks (7-2) come into the contest 4-1 in their last five games. The Dutch return to Iowa Conference play next Wednesday, taking a 1-1 1-1 league record into a 6 p.m. home contest with Luther College at P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium.
