News Release

PELLA, Iowa — Forward Ashley Nekola erupted for a career-high 26 points along with 12 rebounds as the Central College women’s basketball team pounded Grinnell College Saturday, 95-56.

It was the second double-double in two nights for Nekola as she hit 11-of-18 shots from the field.

The Dutch (3-6) hit a blistering 68.2 percent from the floor in the first half in sprinting to a 50-29 halftime lead, and shot 56.4 percent for the game. The Dutch were hot from the free throw line as well, hitting 86.1 percent by sinking 31 of 36 tries.

Grinnell (2-4) plays a toned-down version of the helter-skelter fast-break offense its men’s team is known for, substituting five players at a time. Coach Andy Hamilton seldom left a unit on the floor for longer than a minute. The Pioneers employed an aggressive full-court press which the Dutch exploited for numerous easy buckets. Grinnell, meanwhile, couldn’t get its shots to fall, hitting only 27.4 percent for the game. Guard Katy Bowen had 19 points for the Pioneers.

It was a memorable collegiate debut for freshman guard Shauna Woebbeking, who was promoted to the varsity this week. She had 12 assists, which ranks among the highest single-game totals in school history. Becky Wilson holds the school mark with 15 against Simpson in 1983.

Central had five players in double figures. Behind Nekola, guard Morgan Martin had 15 points, Katy Paxton had 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists, reserve center Maria Weiler had 14 points and guard Aimee Schmidt had 10 points and three assists.

Center Cara Hegner had seven points and 10 rebounds as the Dutch held a 53-37 lead on the boards.

It was an upbeat note with which to end Central’s pre-Christmas schedule. The Dutch will focus on fall semester exams next week, then break until Jan. 5 when they take their 1-0 Iowa Conference record to Decorah to take on Luther College in a women’s-men’s league doubleheader.