Short-handed Central women’s basketball team falls on the road
Central College
LINCOLN, NEB. — Faced with the challenge of going on the road without three starters, the Central College women’s basketball team came up short in a 52-49 loss to Nebraska Wesleyan Tuesday night.
The Dutch (3-1) were without the services of center Bry Pierce (senior, St. Clair, Mo.) and guard Lauren Sharp (senior, Grinnell) due to injury, and guard Kenzie Vander Molen (senior, Pella) due to sickness.
The game came down to the final minute as the Dutch took a 49-48 lead with 1:33 to play on a free throw by guard Alison Malaby (freshman, Mechanicsville, North Cedar HS). The Prairie Wolves (1-3) responded by sinking a jump shot with 39 seconds left to go up by one. Central failed to score on its next possession, but guard Mariah Swartzentruber (sophomore, Kalona, Mid-Prairie) stole the ensuing Nebraska Wesleyan inbounds pass with 23 seconds on the clock and drove to the hoop. Her contested layup just missed going in and the Prairie Wolves grabbed the rebound. Two free throws by Nebraska Wesleyan brought the final score to 52-49.
Guard Rachel Evans (senior, Fort Dodge) finished with a team-high 12 points and grabbed five rebounds for the Dutch.
“Rachel Evans brought energy and focus as always,” said coach Chelsea Petersen. “She produced in the minutes she played and got to the line. She made quite a few plays when we were down early in the game.”
Other leading scorers for Central included guard Abbie Agan (sophomore, New Sharon, North Mahaska HS), who scored nine points and had three assists, and forward Jackie Kriegel (freshman, Marengo, Iowa Valley HS), who had seven points and a team-high eight boards.
Rebounding and turnovers plagued the Dutch. Nebraska Wesleyan forced 20 Central turnovers and hauled in 19 offensive rebounds.
“We gave them too many second-chance opportunities,” said Petersen.
The Prairie Wolves’ defense was not the only defense forcing turnovers as the Dutch forced Nebraska Wesleyan into 23 turnovers in the game.
“When we guarded in the half court we were very good,” said Petersen.
The Central coach said one area her team needs to improve is free throw shooting. Central went 9-for-18 from the charity stripe in the game and 5-for-12 in the second half.
“If we make free throws down the stretch, we win the game,” said Petersen.
Next up for the Dutch is a road trip to Crown College (Minn.) (0-6) Dec. 2 for a 7 p.m. game.
