Central women’s basketball team falls at Buena Vista
Central College
STORM LAKE — Buena Vista used a 15-2 run in the second half to take the lead for good and defeat the Central College women’s basketball team 68-58 Saturday.
The Dutch (9-10 overall, 0-8 Iowa Conference) led 35-31 with 15:30 to play before the Beavers (7-12, 2-6) scored 15 of the game’s next 17 points to take a 46-37 lead. Central cut the deficit down to six after the run, but could not get any closer in the closing minutes.
“During that stretch in the second half when Buena Vista got back into it we went 0-for-7 from the free throw line and missed a couple layups,” said coach Chelsea Petersen. “Buena Vista executed and hit some shots offensively.”
Free throw shooting played a major factor in Saturday’s game. Central struggled at the charity stripe, going 14-for-25 (56 percent). Buena Vista had little trouble at the line, shooting 26-for-32 (81 percent), including 23-for-26 after halftime.
“The game came down to execution on the free throw line,” said Petersen. “You can’t go on the road and miss as many free throws as we did.”
One positive area for Central was its play on defense. The young Dutch forced the Beavers into 23 turnovers Saturday.
“I felt we had a great defensive first half,” said Petersen. “We held Buena Vista to 26 first-half points on their home court. There were times in the first half where we had a three or four point lead and had a chance to increase it and didn’t take advantage of that opportunity.”
The Dutch had three players in double figures led by guard Kenzie Vander Molen (senior, Pella), who finished with 17 points and four assists. Forward Madeline Simmons (freshman, Elkhorn, Neb., South HS) was also in double figures, scoring a career-high 13 points and had three rebounds.
“Maddie Simmons had a great game,” said Petersen. “She played with a lot of energy on the offensive end of the floor.”
Guard Mariah Swartzentruber (sophomore, Kalona, Mid-Prairie HS) was the third Central player in double figures, finishing with 10 points while recording three assists. Forward Jackie Kriegel (freshman, Marengo, Iowa Valley HS) filled up the stat sheet for Central with four points, three rebounds and three steals.
“Jackie Kriegel played extremely hard in the post,” said Petersen. “She did a great job of running the floor and getting her hands in passing lanes.”
The Central coach also liked what guard Emily Dine (freshman, Tampa, Fla., East Lake HS) brought to the table Saturday.
“Emily Dine did a great job of watching from the bench and then getting into game and executing,” said Petersen.
For Buena Vista Jasmyn Flynn-Graves led the way with 16 points and Shelby Wiederhoeft added 13.
The Dutch will return home to take on Dubuque (13-6, 7-1) Wednesday at 6 p.m. The Spartans defeated the Dutch 58-55 in a close battle in Dubuque Jan. 7. A live video feed of the game can be seen here.
