Brittney Carlson Dec. 17, 2007

Central women crack win column

NEW ULM, MINN.—Placing four players in double figures, the Central College women’s basketball team broke into the win column with an 83-49 romp past Martin Luther College (Minn.).  

Coach Natalie Nakic emptied the bench as the Dutch (1-8) sprinted to a 41-19 halftime lead and coasted to the win. Guard Ashley Gerst (sophomore, Columbus Junction, Wapello HS) had 15 points while guard Brittney Carlson (sophomore, Oskaloosa) added 13, guard Megan Carman (junior, Newton) had 12 and forward Katie McKim (freshman, Creston) came off the bench to score 10 points in 15 minutes of action. Forward Erin Benson (junior, Omaha, Neb., Northwest HS) had nine rebounds while guard Mary Swanson (senior, Jefferson, Jefferson-Scranton HS) had seven. Guard Jordan Waddell (freshman, Guthrie Center) passed out a season-best seven assists.

The Dutch shot 45.6 percent from the field, held a 54-50 rebounding edge and came up with 15 steals as Martin Luther dropped to 0-9.

“We went with a smaller lineup, put the press on and were able to convert off their turnovers,” Nakic said. “I thought we executed the press pretty well.

Nakic liked the performances of her bench players.

“Jordan Waddell did a nice job and Katie McKim  played well,” she said. “And Nicole Wenstrand (freshman, Essex) played her heart out on both ends of the floor. She’s only been at full strength (after injury) for about a week.”

Central breaks for Christmas before heading to Daytona Beach, Fla. and the Land of Magic Classic. The Dutch take on Immaculata University (Pa.) in a first-ever meeting Dec. 28 at 5 p.m. (Eastern Time). The Mighty Macs are 2-5 with one game remaining before Christmas.

“We got a win at a good time, going into Christmas,” Nakic said. “The players have to feel good about how we played. Sometimes when you get a win it’s contagious.”