Freshman Riley Gatton of Montezuma scored 26 points, including six three-point baskets, to lead the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) women's basketball team to an 89-66 win over the Graceland University junior varsity (GUJV) November 5 inside the DMACC gymnasium.

Gatton connected on 10 of 17 shots from the field, including 6-of-10 from three-point range, as the Bears improved to 2-0 for the season.

Gatton led five DMACC players in double figures. Sophomore Asia Mena of Chicago, Ill., and freshman Emma Mace of Hawarden had 12 points apiece, freshman Jada Powell of Des Moines scored 11 points and freshman Shelbi Raymond of Madrid finished with 10 points. Mace shot well from behind the arc, hitting four of five shots.

The game was knotted at 18 at the end of the first quarter and DMACC began pulling away in the second period, outscoring GUJV 23-18 for a 41-36 halftime advantage. The Bears expanded their lead to 62-48 at the end of the third quarter.

DMACC shot 43 percent in the win, connecting on 37 of 87 field goal attempts. The Bears were 14-of-42 from three-point range and 1-of-4 from the free throw line.

Powell led DMACC to a 43-35 advantage on the boards with 11 rebounds, giving her a second consecutive double-double. Sophomore Taelor Lessmeier of Fort Dodge had six rebounds and narrowly missed scoring in double figures with nine points. Mena led the Bears in assists with three and Powell and Raymond had three steals apiece.

The DMACC women's basketball team will play in the Ramada Classic Nov. 8 and 9 at Columbus, Neb. The Bears will play Southeast (Neb.) Community College (SENEB) on Nov. 8 and will face Central (Neb.) Community College (CNECC) on Nov. 9.