• Freshman Chloe Costello scores 16 points in a non-starting role
• Sophomore Mary Walker and freshman Kaylee Stratton add 12 and 11 points respectively
• Bears never look back after leading 23-8 at the end of the first quarter

Freshman Chloe Costello of Northwood came off the bench to score 16 points and lead the DMACC women's basketball team to a 71-45 win over Iowa Western Community College (IWCC) February 15 inside the DMACC gymnasium.

Sophomore Mary Walker of Fonda added 12 points and freshman Kaylee Stratton of Tiffin came away with 11 as the Bears improved to 20-7 overall and 11-4 in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) with their seventh consecutive victory.

The win also avenged a 66-64 loss to the Reivers Jan. 15 at Council Bluffs in which DMACC trailed by as many as 17 points, 60-43, early in the fourth period before closing to within a point at 65-64 with 41 seconds left.

There was no come-from-behind effort needed in this most recent win as the Bears had a 23-8 lead at the end of the first quarter and pulled away from there. They led 40-22 at halftime and 58-32 at the end of the third quarter.

DMACC shot 44 percent from the field, making 28 of 63 field goal attempts, including 10-of-35 from three-point range. The Bears were 5-of-9 from the free throw line.

IWCC, which fell to 14-14 and 7-9, shot just 23 percent from the field, making 15 of 64 field goal attempts. The Reivers were 7-of-24 from three-point range and 8-of-14 from the free throw line.

DMACC came away with a 38-32 advantage in rebounding with freshman Breeley Clayburg of Coon Rapids pulling down seven rebounds to lead the Bears. Costello, Walker, Stratton and freshman Aunasia Dunn of Kansas City, Mo., had four rebounds apiece. Dunn dished out a team-high five assists with Stratton and Clayburg coming away with three apiece. Stratton and freshmen Whitney Jensen of Remsen and Hanna Wagenbach of Burlington led DMACC in steals with two apiece and Jensen recorded a pair of blocked shots.

The DMACC women's basketball team faces Iowa Lakes Community College (ILCC) Feb. 19 at Estherville. ILCC, coached by former DMACC women's basketball coach Ashley Martin, is 12-15 overall and 6-9 in the ICCAC. The Lakers' losses include an 81-35 decision against DMACC Jan. 8 inside the DMACC gymnasium.