PELLA—A hot start from long range got the Central College women's basketball team rolling en route to a 71-37 runaway over Nebraska Wesleyan University Wednesday.
           
The Dutch (8-7 overall, 2-4 American Rivers) knocked down nine 3-point buckets in the first half including three from guard Abby Johnson (junior, Ankeny), who delivered a game-high 19 points, and four from guard Gabby Moore (junior, Waterloo, West HS), who had 14. Central made 12 threes for the night.
           
"I think we were nine for 15 (on 3-point shots) in the first half so we were just shooting it well," coach Justin Weiland said. "We were taking the right ones. A lot of them came in transition and lot of them just came within the offense."
           
Central took control with an 18-12 lead after the first quarter and broke it open with a 21-5 advantage in the second quarter, using a 19-2 burst for a 39-14 lead with 1:12 left in the half. It was 39-17 at the break.
             
Weiland was especially encouraged with a 4-of-4 shooting performance from the floor off the bench from Moore.
           
"One of the biggest things I'm looking for is to get more out of Gabby just being that offensive scoring threat," Weiland said. "Whether she comes in with that first unit or whether she's out there with the second unit, we need her to be a threat. We know she can take it off the dribble and we know she can shoot the ball so it was really huge to see four of them go through, really just one after another."
           
Central outshot Nebraska Wesleyan 47.3% to 20.5% for the night with a 50-39 rebounding edge. Forward Kaitlyn Mumm (freshman, Des Moines, Christian HS), point guard Hannah Dau (junior, Paullina, South O'Brien HS) and Moore each had five rebounds while center Allison Van Gorp (junior, Pella, Pella Christian HS) had four assists.
           
Nineteen Central players saw action.
           
"It was awesome," Weiland said. "It was nice to see Allie Rateike (freshman, Marshall, Wis.) go in and drill two threes. With us being so deep this year, minutes are just going to be limited but I thought (the reserves) moved the ball pretty well on the offensive end. I would have liked to see us just be a little stronger with it but for the most part they were and and defensively they weren't bad. They all put in a ton of work and to get that reward of some time on the floor is always nice to see."
           
Weiland also liked keeping the regulars rested as the grind of the conference schedule unfolds. None of the starters played more than 16 minutes.
           
"If we can have some fresh legs Saturday, we'll take it," Weiland said.
           
The University of Dubuque visits Saturday for a women's-men's doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. at P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium. The Spartans are 9-6 overall and 3-3 in conference play after a 78-72 loss at Coe College in Cedar Rapids Wednesday. Saturday's game will be broadcast by KRLS-FM (92.1) with Tyler Crabb calling the action. The broadcast can also be accessed via kniakrls.com. A video webcast and live stats can be accessed through the Central athletics website at athletics.central.edu.