MILWAUKEE – Today at the Bloechl Center, the Dutch of Central (Iowa) College take the court against the Mount Mary University women's basketball team (1-4). The Dutch began the season on a hot 5-game winning streak, then lost their first conference matchup of the season against Coe College of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference by a score of 72-59.
The Blue Angels are coming into this afternoon's contest on the south side of a 4-game losing streak that begun with an opening round 84-42 loss to Lakeland University (3-4) in the Lakeland Tip-Off Tournament. Most recently, the Blue Angels lost a rematch against the Muskies in a much closer 55-38 game.
As a team, the Dutch attack the basket and average 69.0 points per game while surrendering 50.5 points to their opponents. Much of that point differential is due to the defensive pressure applied by Central. Opposing teams are shooting just 31.2 percent from the field in the first six games against the Dutch. Controlling the glass simultaneously, the Dutch enjoy a positive 8.8 rebound margin this season as well.
The Blue Angels difference maker this season has been their defense. Averaging 10.8 steals per game, and 4.0 blocks per game, MMU looks to take care of the ball on the offensive side in order to take the edge.
MMU's offense is led by third year player Becky Onan (Jr./Grafton, Wis.) who averages 12.2 points per game while also leading the team in rebounds per game (6.6) and blocks per game (2.0). Also making a huge improvement from her first two seasons at the free throw line, Onan is shooting 81.5 percent this season from the line after shooting 56.1 percent in her first two years.
Central leans on Emily Dine and Claire Marburger for the majority of their scoring so far this season. Dine averages 16.8 points per game while shooting 48.0 percent from the 3-point line. Marburger gets most of her scoring done inside of the arc shooting .547 percent from the field and averaging 25.3 points per game. Marburger also controls the glass for her team ripping down 10.2 rebounds per game.
Catch the Blue Angels live video and stat coverage at mtmaryathletics.com. The game begins at 3:00 pm.
