A strong defensive effort in the middle of the game lifted the Central College women’s basketball team past Kalamazoo 66-55 yesterday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The Dutch trailed 16-12 after the first quarter, but allowed just nine and eight points, respectively, in the second and third quarters, eventually building an 18-point lead.

Emily Dine led four Central players in double figures with 16 points, and Kendall Brown added a 14-point 10-rebound double-double. Jackie Kriegel was Central’s top window washer with 14 boards.

The Dutch improve to 6-3 overall and will wrap up their southern swing today against Wisconsin-Whitewater.