Central women’s basketball team secures road win

LINCOLN, NEB.- Led by 36 bench points and high-energy defense, the Central College women’s basketball team snagged a 76-59 win at Nebraska Wesleyan University.

“(The bench unit) was important today,” said coach Justin Weiland. “They went on a run in the second quarter and that was the turning point of the game, and we never looked back. It was nice to win a different way with the bench unit leading us today.”

The Dutch (10-5, 3-3 American Rivers) were led in scoring by Abby Johnson (senior, Ankeny) who finished with 18 points. Johnson got off to a slow start shooting 1-for-6 from the field in the first half but responded well shooting 4-for-7 in the second half.

“She kept her confidence. It would be easy for her to shut down, but she didn’t let the misses get to her, and the second half performance was huge,” Weiland said. “The biggest difference was we got her easier and more open looks, and she was able to knock the shots down.”

Leading the bench unit Kaitlyn Mumm (sophomore, Waukee, Des Moines Christian HS) scored 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting while also collecting five rebounds and two blocked shots. Bailey Reding (junior, Grundy Center) added 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting and four rebounds.

Jasmyn Williams (junior, Denver, Colo., Arvada West HS) led the team with six assists while also adding four points. Emily Naughton (sophomore, Indianola) scored six points and three assists.

As a team Central shot 52.5% from the field, and 38.5% from three, while holding Nebraska Wesleyan (1-14, 0-6 American Rivers) to 34.5% from the field and 36.4% from three.

“After the first quarter our defense played much better,” said Weiland. “We played with better intensity; physicality and we were more disciplined. Our bench played with high energy on defense, and we played much better as a unit.

The team stays on the road when it travels to Dubuque University on Saturday at 2 p.m.