Central Pulls Away for Women’s Basketball Win in Missouri

Getting points from 11 players, the Central College women’s basketball team secured its third road win with a 64-41 decision at Fontbonne University (Mo.) on Saturday.

Guard Abby Johnson had 11 points and freshman point guard Emily Naughton added 10 to lead a balanced attack. The Dutch (3-2) got seven rebounds from center Allison Van Gorp, six from Naughton and five from Johnson. Central shot a sizzling 58.5% from the floor and outrebounded Fontbonne (0-4) 35-27 while limiting the Griffins to just 22.6% shooting. After leading just 15-12 heading into the second quarter, the Dutch steadily pulled away, stretching the advantage to 28-20 at intermission. No Central player was on the floor for more than 23 minutes, and the Dutch reserves contributed 29 points in the win.

The Central women are back in action today in St. Louis against undefeated Webster at 1 p.m. 

Late Wisconsin-Platteville 3 gives Central First Men’s Basketball Setback

Without its head coach or any late-game good fortune, the Central College men’s basketball team sustained its first loss Saturday at Wisconsin-Platteville 66-65.

A late three-point flurry, including the go-ahead bucket with 9 seconds remaining, rallied the Pioneers (4-1), a traditional NCAA Division III tourney contender, in the intense contest. Central (5-1) was without head coach Joe Steinkamp, who remained in Pella due to illness. The Dutch nonetheless temporarily broke open a tight game to take an 11-point lead with 4:16 left in the game, but Wisconsin-Platteville quickly responded with three consecutive three-pointers to help set up the winning score. The Pioneers knocked down six second-half threes, shooting 54.5% for the half from long range. Guard Kaleb Brand had 17 points and six rebounds while forward Grant Johnson recorded his third double-double of the season with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Wisconsin-Platteville collapsed its defense around Dutch center Joshua Van Gorp, who had eight points. 

The Central men are back in American Rivers Conference action on Wednesday in the back half of a doubleheader at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. Tip-off of the men’s game is slated for 7:30 pm.