- Sophomore Mary Walker contributes 18 points
- DMACC has a 56-43 advantage in rebounding
- Bears pull away at the free throw line in the closing minutes
Freshman Whitney Jensen of Remsen and sophomore Mary Walker of Fonda combined for 45 points as the DMACC women's basketball team opened the 2024-25 season with an 89-78 win over the Grand View University Junior Varsity November 3 inside the DMACC gymnasium.
Jensen scored a game-high 27 points and Walker added 18 points in the win. Jensen's points came on 10 of 15 shooting from the field, including 3-of-5 from three-point range, and she was a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line. Walker made four of 13 field goal attempts, including 3-of-6 from three-point range, and was 7-of-10 at the free throw line.
DMACC, ranked 25th in the Division II preseason poll from the National Junior College Athletic Association INJCAA), trailed by as many as nine points in the opening quarter and was down 21-16 at the end of the period. The Bears were behind throughout the second period before scoring the last seven points of the quarter for a 44-38 halftime advantage.
GVUJV scored the first seven points of the third quarter and led 45-44 before 17-4 run allowed the Bears to take control of the game until the closing minutes. Jensen's jumper ignited the run and Walker scored eight of the 17 points on a pair of three-pointers and a regular basket as the Bears went ahead 61-49 with 5 minutes, 40 seconds left in the quarter.
DMACC still had a comfortable lead at 71-57 heading into the fourth quarter where a 15-4 run allowed the Vikings to close to within three at 78-75 with 3:50 to play. It was a five-point game at 83-78 with 1:49 remaining when DMACC was able to put it out of reach at the free throw line. Two free throws each from Jensen and Walker gave DMACC an 87-78 lead with 44 seconds left and Walker iced it with two free throws with 21 seconds to play.
The Bears shot 38 percent, hitting 31 of 81 field goal attempts. They were 11-of-29 from three-point range and connected on 16 of 24 free throw attempts.
Seven rebounds apiece from sophomore Joy Beran of Riceville and freshman Missy Evezic of Council Bluffs and six each by Walker, Jensen and freshmen Aunasia Dunn of Kansas City, Hanna Wagenbach of Burlington and Reagan Wheeler of Cedar Falls lifted DMACC to a 56-43 advantage on the boards. DMACC's total including 21 offensive rebounds.
Walker dished out four assists and Jensen, Dunn, Wagenbach and freshman Kaylee Stratton of Tiffin had three apiece. Jensen led the Bears in steals with six.
The DMACC women's basketball team will play in the Kirkwood Classic Nov. 8 and 9 at Cedar Rapids. The Bears will face Illinois Central College (ICC) on Nov. 8 and will play Sauk Valley Community College (SVCC) on Nov. 9.