A 7-minute scoring drought proved costly for Central (0-4). Trailing 13-2, the Dutch scrapped their way back to within 25-20 with 4:46 left in the first half. But Mt. Mercy (4-5) scored the final 12 points of the first half for a 37-20 advantage at the break, then reeled off the first six points of the second half for an 18-0 run and a 43-20 lead with 18 minutes left.
Katie Smith, Ali Goldsmith and Jessie Dirks each had 14 points for Mt. Mercy. The Mustangs outshot Central 40.6 percent to 29.6 and outrebounded them 44-38.
Sophomore center Maria Weiler was the only Central player in double figures, scoring 12. Wing Katy Paxton had eight points and four rebounds and freshman forward Stephanie Snitker had seven points, four boards and two blocks.
“We couldn’t find our flow offensively,” coach Natalie Nakic said. “Defensively, we knew what we had to do but we couldn’t close in on their shooters.”
Nakic said she’s seeing some progress from guard Mary Swanson. She came off the bench to score four points with two rebounds.
“Mary Swanson has stepped up in the last two games,” Nakic said. “She’s playing the two spot well.”
Several freshmen continue to see action for the young Dutch and Nakic thinks their contributions will increase as the season progresses. Guard Emily Conway, forward Emily De Jong and Snitker all have flashed potential.
“I’m looking for them to turn the corner and get hot,” Nakic said.
Central travels to Bloomington, Ill. next Saturday for a 2 p.m. game at Illinois Wesleyan. The Titans take a 4-2 record into a game at Fontbonne (Mo.) Wednesday before playing host to Central.