Brittney Carlson dribble Dec. 28, 2007

Florida win is day at the beach for Dutch

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA.--The Land of Magic Classic turned into a day at the beach for the Central College women's basketball team Friday, ending an 11-day layoff with a 76-54 win over Immaculata University (Pa.) in Florida.  

Central overcame an early 9-point deficit by closing the first half with a 22-3 run for a 36-26 lead at intermission.

“We changed defenses,” said coach Natalie Nakic. “Then Katie McKim (freshman, Creston) came into the game and hit a 3-pointer. That kind of lifted our spirits. We picked up our defensive intensity and got after it from there.”

Guard Brittney Carlson (sophomore, Oskaloosa) hit 5-of-7 3-point shots and finished with 19 points for the Dutch (2-8). McKim knocked down 4-of-6 from behind the arc and scored 12 points, as did guard Mary Swanson (senior, Jefferson, Jefferson-Scranton HS).

“Brittiney and Katie kept us in the game in the first half,” Nakic said.

Freshman center Andrea Clark (Guthrie Center) notched a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Central shot 38.5 percent from long range but just 35.9 percent from the field overall. The Dutch, who were hitting 76.3 percent from the free throw line entering the game, sank just 10-of-22 free throws Friday. But Central outrebounded Immaculata 51-46. Immaculata fell to 2-7.

The Dutch will continue enjoying the 80-degree temperatures before taking the court again Sunday at noon against Albright College (Pa.). The Lady Lions took a 7-1 record into a Friday night game with Iowa Conference rival Simpson College.