By: Dana Becker
Messenger Sports Staff
The Iowa Central women took care of business here Wednesday night ahead of a key showdown with fourth-ranked Kirkwood.
Behind a quick start, the Tritons handled Marshalltown for their sixth consecutive win, 62-46
Emily Theiss had a game-high 22 points with Laney Pilcher adding 13 and Kaitlyn Tendal 10.
Due to rescheduling, Iowa Central (15-3 overall, 7-3 in ICCAC) will now face Kirkwood twice over a three-day period beginning Saturday in Cedar Rapids. The rematch is set for Monday back here.
The Tritons have won all six of their 2024 games, scoring at least 62 points each time out. They have also won their last three by at least 15 points and are a perfect 7-0 at home.
"Our focus as a program is always one game at a time," ICCC head coach Sabah Dickerson said. "Marshalltown has had a tough season, but they have the ability to shoot the three-ball well. Our challenge was executing our defensive game plan for 40 minutes."
Iowa Central led 19-7 after the first and were in control at the half with a 19-point advantage. Alicia Hatlestad added seven points and Mia Danielson six.
Tendal recorded six steals with Pilcher and Theiss each registering three. Hatlestad and Theiss had four rebounds and Jordan Mayland dished out three assists.
As a team, the Tritons finished 18-for-19 from the free throw line, marking the 10th time this season they have shot at least 80 percent at the charity stripe. They are a combined 93 of 106 during their current win streak including 31-for-34 over the past two games.
"Hodges Fieldhouse is a special place for the navy and white," Dickerson said. "We always seem to put together quality wins here and we reminded our team collecting as many wins as we can in Region 11 is huge.
"It'll be key for our seeding as we start to play everyone for the second time here in the next week or so."
For Marshalltown, Tarah Campbell scored 13 and Destiny Sao-Martinez 12. The Tigers (2-16, 0-10) have lost seven in a row.
Tip in Saturday's meeting with Kirkwood is set for 1 p.m. The Eagles (18-2, 9-1) topped Southwestern last night, 80-42.