PELLA — The Central College women's basketball team grabbed its first Iowa Conference victory of the season with a 64-51 win over the University of Dubuque.
    "Our defense was great tonight," said coach Chelsea Petersen. "Holding a team like Dubuque to 51 points was an accomplishment."
    Sophomore forward Claire Marburger (Perry) led the Dutch with 30 points and 13 rebounds, her fourth statistical double-double and third time scoring 30 or more points this season.
    "Claire had an extraordinary game tonight," said Petersen. "Claire brings our program to a different level. She makes those around her better. Our offense ran through her tonight."
    Sophomore guard Kaitlyn Johnson (Stockport, Van Buren HS) added nine points on 3-of-6 shooting from 3-point range and guard Emily Dine (junior, Oldsmar, Fla., East Lake HS) had eight points and four rebounds. Forwards Jackie Kriegel (junior, Marengo, Iowa Valley HS), Kendall Brown (freshman, Moravia) and guard Jessica Helton (junior, Nevada) added four points apiece.
    "Offensively, we need to do a better job as a team," said Petersen. "We had some individuals play well but our defense was the reason we won the game."
    The Dutch take a break for final exams before returning to action December 17, when Augustana College (Ill.) travels to the P.H. Kuyper Gym for a 2 p.m. tip. Augustana (6-0) won last year's matchup 81-55.
    "The next 10 days is about managing it," said Petersen. "Taking care of our bodies and making sure we get better. I feel like this team is a team that can beat teams by 25 or 30 points if we get everything going."