Central women’s basketball team wins season opener
Central College
GRINNELL — Central College guard Kenzie Vander Molen (senior, Pella) sank a pair of free throws in the closing seconds to help the Dutch women’s basketball team earn a 52-50 season-opening road win at Grinnell Saturday.
Coach Chelsea Petersen was happy to see her young team pick up a win away from home to start the season.
“It was a great road win for the first game of the year,” said Petersen. “I thought we demonstrated poise.”
Central (1-0) trailed 36-30 at halftime before outscoring the Pioneers (0-1) by eight in the second half.
“I thought we played great defensively in the second half,” said Petersen. “We held them to 14 second-half points. We felt like if we could hold Grinnell to 60 or under we would be in a great position to win.”
The Dutch defense held Grinnell to 31-percent shooting for the game.
Guard Rachel Evans (senior, Fort Dodge) led the Dutch with 13 points, shooting 5-for-9 from the field. Petersen liked the way Evans played on both ends of the floor.
“Rachel was aggressive attacking the basket and getting to the rim today,” said Petersen. “She also had a few key defensive stops.”
Vander Molen and forward Tina Lane (freshman, Williamsburg) were also in double figures for Central, each scoring 11, while guard Kaitlin Stump (junior, Lancaster, Mo., Schuyler R-1 HS) added eight in her first game since suffering a season-ending injury last December.
“Offensively I felt like we were really well balanced today,” said Petersen. “Everyone who got into the game executed their role very well. Kenzie did a great overall job running that point guard position and Tina knocked down some big shots.”
Alex Neckopulos was the lone Pioneer is double figures with 10 points.
Petersen complimented the play of guard Emily Dine (freshman, Oldsmar, Fla., East Lake HS) and forward Jackie Kriegel (freshman, Marengo, Iowa Valley HS) off the bench in their collegiate debuts.
“We needed them to come in for periods of time and execute and they did a fantastic job,” said Petersen.
Central held the advantage on the boards, 40-33. Guard Mariah Swartzentruber (sophomore, Kalona, Mid-Prairie HS) had a career-high seven rebounds for the visitors.
The Dutch will play their home opener Friday against Blackburn (0-0) in P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium.
