Central Athletic News February 12
Central College
Central’s balanced effort clinches women’s road win
MOUNT VERNON—Three players scored in double digits and the Central College women’s basketball team held off Cornell College’s second-half offensive attacks to capture a 68-64 win Saturday in Mount Vernon.
Scoring in spurts of six, the Dutch jumped out to a 6-0 lead nearly five minutes in while the defense instigated five Cornell turnovers.
“Our defensive pressure really bothered them,” coach Jerry Nikkel said. “It was a good start getting the lead and causing turnovers.”
A second run distanced the Dutch 12-2 at the 12:13 mark and Central closed the half the way it started, with a 6-0 run, taking a 31-25 advantage into the break.
Continuing its offensive streak in the second half, Central extended its lead to 11 before Cornell crept back in to tie things up at 36. In a back-and-forth battle Cornell and Central traded 6-point runs before the Dutch regained control, drawing fouls off of rebounds to get to the charity stripe.
“They (Cornell) started coming back like crazy,” Nikkel said. “It was huge for us to get those rebounds and get to the free-throw line.”
Central had 42 rebounds, 17 offensive, compared to 33 rebounds from Cornell (7-14, 2-12 conference). The Dutch shot 41.2 percent from the floor, including a 52.4 percent effort in the second half.
“Those are high-water marks for us,” Nikkel said.
Guard Sarah Paulson (junior, Ottumwa) led the Dutch with 17 points, shooting 50 percent from the floor and going 2-for-2 behind the arc. She also collected seven rebounds. Guard Annie Sarcone (freshman, Des Moines, Dowling Catholic HS) added 11 points and forward Haley Brillhart (junior, Pella) had 10. Forward Nicole Strasko (sophomore, Roland, Roland-Story HS) snagged a game-high eight rebounds and had nine points. Guard Alyssa Schwartz (sophomore, Titonka, WCLT HS) also had nine points.
“This was by far our best team effort of the year,” Nikkel said. “It’s a big confidence builder for us.”
The win snaps an eight-game losing streak for the Dutch.
With a bye during the week, Central (5-19, 2-13 conference) tackles Buena Vista for its last regular-season game in a women’s-men’s doubleheader at Storm Lake Saturday. The women tipoff at 2 p.m. and the men begin at approximately 4 p.m.
“With the week off we’ll have a couple days to heal and recoup,” Nikkel said. “We’ll be ready to go, no question.”
The Beavers cruised to an 80-69 win in Pella earlier this season. Buena Vista has clinched the No. 6 seed in the Iowa Conference tournament with a 7-7 league mark and an 11-12 overall record.
Miscues cost sharpshooting Central men
MOUNT VERNON—A 54.3-percent shooting effort on the road still couldn’t push the Central College men’s basketball team past Cornell College Saturday as the Dutch stumbled 75-72.
Central also outrebounded the Rams 32-27. But ballhandling was the difference as Central (12- 11 overall, 8-7 Iowa Conference) committed 21 turnovers while Cornell gave up just 10. Cornell (8-15 overall, 3-11 conference) shot 48.3 percent and placed all five starters in double figures.
“We gave them 11 more opportunities to score,” coach Mike Boschee said. “They had 20 first-half points off turnovers and 29 for the game. That makes it hard to win.”
The Dutch were again shorthanded due to injury and illness as starting guard Brock Caves (junior, Douds, Van Buren HS) and forward James Chapline (senior, Ogden) were sidelined. Their absence was felt, Boschee said.
Guard Demarco Turner (senior, Des Moines, East HS) had 17 points, six assists and five rebounds while center Jack Bruns (junior, Story City, Roland-Story HS) also had 17 points with six boards. Forward Chris Lehmann (junior, Champaign, Ill., Central HS) added 12 points with a team-high seven rebounds and guard KJ Cool (sophomore, Newtown, Mo., Harris R-3 HS) had 11 points with four assists.
Turner was 5-of-9 from 3-point range, giving him 66 3-pointers for the year, just four shy of the school season record set by Wade Vander Molen (1999-2000).
Central closes the regular season next Saturday at Buena Vista in a women’s-men’s doubleheader at Storm Lake. The women’s game tips off at 2 p.m. with the men’s game at 4 p.m. The Dutch have lost 15 straight games at Storm Lake, last topping Buena Vista on its home floor Jan. 9, 1999.
“It’ll definitely be a challenge,” Boschee said. “Buena Vista always plays good basketball at home. It’s a challenge but we’re looking forward to it.”
Having a week off will give the Dutch a chance to get healthy.
“It will be nice to get recharged and refocused and see what we can do down the stretch,” Boschee said.
The games will be broadcast on KRLS-FM (92.1) and the broadcast can also be heard via the Central athletics website at www.central.edu/athletics.
