Dutch women back to basketball action with a win

DECATUR, ILLINOIS – Opening 2025 in victorious fashion, the Central College women’s basketball team concluded its non-conference schedule with a 70-57 win at Millikin University (Ill.) Wednesday.

Central (8-4) hadn’t played in over two weeks when it ventured to Millikin (2-9). There didn’t seem to be much rest for the Dutch to shake off as they shot 51.1% (24-47) from the field.

“It’s usually hard to find a rhythm and see shots go down in the first game back from break,” coach Justin Weiland said. “We were super efficient today. We had good possessions and played well as a team.”

Guard Emily Naughton (sophomore, Indianola) was the top scorer for Central with 16 points, but forward CeCe Moore (sophomore, Waterloo, West HS) and guard Abby Johnson (senior, Ankeny) also scored in double figures with 15 and 10 points, respectively.

“We talked about finding ways to manufacture points and get some easy looks,” Weiland said. “It’s a great team win when you have three people in double figures.”

Forward Bailey Reding (junior, Grundy Center) led the Dutch with six rebounds off the bench to go with her seven points. Naughton had four assists.

“It’s a great win to start off the new year and coming off of break,” Weiland said. “It’s exactly what we need heading into the gauntlet of what’s coming for the next 13 games in the league.”

Central is strictly playing American Rivers Conference games from this point and looking to add to its 1-2 mark in league play.

“I thought we put together a pretty good non-conference schedule with some challenging opponents,” Weiland said. “We want to take some of the momentum we’ve built into the conference season.

Central starts the stretch run with a 2 p.m. game at Coe College Saturday. The Kohawks lost their opener and have won 11 straight games.