The Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) women's basketball team began the 2018-19 season with victories against the William Penn University junior varsity (WPUJV) and Southeastern (Neb.) Community College (SENEB).
The Bears defeated WPUJV, 75-68, in their season opener Nov. 1 inside the DMACC gymnasium behind 14 points from sophomore Grace Stalzer of Zearing and 11 apiece by sophomore Aliyah Robinson of Waterloo and freshman Asia Mena of Chicago, Ill. Sophomore Emma Rouse of Boone came away with 19 points and freshman Shailece Porter of Walthill, Neb., scored 13 in an 87-53 win over SENEB Nov. 3, at Beatrice, Neb.
WPUJV led DMACC 21-16 after the first quarter, 36-29 at halftime and 56-54 at the end of the third quarter before the Bears rallied to come away with the win behind a 21-point fourth quarter.
DMACC shot 37 percent in the game, connecting of 28 of 75 field goal attempts. The Bears were 8-of-28 from three-point range and 11-of-22 from the free throw line.
Stalzer's 13 rebounds led DMACC to a 50-30 advantage on the boards. Sophomore Ellie Horn of Newton had seven rebounds and Porter, Robinson and freshman Sameria Jackson of Houston, Texas, had six rebounds apiece. Mena dished out seven assists in the win and Robinson led the Bears in steals with four.
DMACC opened up a 20-14 lead after the first quarter against SENEB and led the Storm 36-28 at halftime. The Bears had a 61-45 advantage after three quarters. A total of 12 DMACC players scored in the game with freshman Hannah McKinney of Des Moines getting nine points, Jackson finishing with eight and Mena scoring seven.
SENEB had a 50-45 advantage on the boards with Horn's nine rebounds leading DMACC. Robinson and Jackson had seven rebounds apiece and Stalzer came away with six. Robinson and Mena had five and four assists respectively in the win and Robinson led the Bears in steals with four. Horn topped DMACC in blocks with five.
The DMACC women's basketball team will host the Graceland University junior varsity on Nov. 6. Game time is 5:30 p.m. inside the DMACC gymnasium.