by: Dana Becker 

Messenger Sports Staff 

Sabah Dickerson had a simple message for her Iowa Central women following Wednesday's loss to North Iowa Area inside Hodges Fieldhouse, 78-63.

"What can we learn from this and how do we grow from this was what I told them after the game," Dickerson said. "When you are unbeaten, everybody wants to be that team to hand you that first loss. I felt like (NIACC) wanted it more early in the game.

"Now, we need to continue to improve and get better as a team."

The Tritons (8-1 overall, 1-1 in ICCAC) seven double-digit victories coming into the night and held a slim 19-18 lead after the first. The Trojans, though, answered the call, taking a one-point edge into the half before outscoring Iowa Central in the third, 17-9.

Laney Pilcher had 16 points with seven assists, six rebounds and three steals to lead the Tritons, while former Fort Dodge Senior High standout Lainey Maehl added nine on 4 of 5 shooting from the floor.

Emily Theiss scored eight with Alicia Hatlestad, Kaitlyn Tendal, Tayler Reaves and Mia Danielson all adding six.

Iowa Central committed 27 turnovers and NIACC (8-3, 1-1) attempted 72 shots to 58 by the Tritons. The Trojans also held a plus-10 advantage in total rebounds.

"We aren't the biggest team so we know we have to really go after the glass hard," Dickerson said. "It's early in the season and I know we'll learn from this. Our region is full of tough games and each one is a different obstacle."

For NIACC, Madison Hillman scored 18 and had 11 rebounds while Tori Miller added 13 and Keeley Steele had 12.

The Tritons return to action on Saturday when they host Southeast at 1 p.m. for heroes Day with first responders and military being admitted free with identification.