Central College Women Secure Consecutive Wins in Basketball Season Opener
The Central College women’s basketball team kicked off their season with energy, grabbing back-to-back wins for the first time since 2019-20. They took down the University of Northwestern – St. Paul (Minn.) 67-56, showing off a balanced offense and a tough defense.
Let’s talk about what really happened on the court. The Dutch women found ways to score from all over and didn’t let up on defense, either.
Central College’s Strong Start to the Season
Table of Contents
Central College (2-0) hit the road for a weekend in Minnesota, playing two games in two days—and winning both. This marks their first 2-0 start in non-conference games since 2019-20, which says a lot about how ready and determined they are this year.
The team didn’t rely on just one scorer. Four different players hit double digits, keeping their attack unpredictable and hard to defend.
Key Players and Their Contributions
Freshman Maddie Backer, from New Ulm, Minn., came off the bench and led all scorers with 16 points. That’s a heck of a debut.
Junior CeCe Moore (Waterloo, West HS) added 11 points, while sophomore McKenzie Snook (Chariton) chipped in 10. Senior Jasmyn Williams (Commerce City, Colo., Arvada West HS) was the only starter in double figures, also with 10 points.
Defensive Prowess and Free Throw Accuracy
The team struggled from beyond the arc, going just 3-for-24 on threes. Still, they pulled through thanks to lights-out free throw shooting, hitting 22 of 26.
Coach Justin Weiland had to be pleased with their grit. He pointed out how the team “saved themselves” at the line, and honestly, that’s what good teams do when shots aren’t falling.
Fourth Quarter Defense
Central’s defense really clamped down in the fourth quarter. They held the University of Northwestern – St. Paul to just eight points in the final frame.
That kind of shutdown defense made the difference in closing out the win. You could feel the intensity ramp up when it mattered most.
Rebounding and Assists
McKenzie Snook led the Dutch with eight rebounds, hustling all over the glass. Senior Bailey Reding (Grundy Center) grabbed seven boards herself.
Jasmyn Williams ran the offense with five assists, showing off her playmaking. Maddie Backer also made her presence felt on defense, picking up four steals.
Looking Ahead
Next up, Central College faces the University of Northwestern – St. Paul again on Saturday at 2 p.m. They’ll try to keep the streak going and ride this early momentum.
Conclusion
Central College women’s basketball kicked off the season at 2-0. That’s a promising start, right?
The team mixed up their offense and played tough on defense. They also nailed their free throws, which always helps.
Honestly, fans should get ready for a pretty fun season. If you want more details on those recent wins, check out the official Central College Athletics page.