By: Dana Becker

Messenger Sports Staff

The Iowa Central women used a strong second half to best Ellsworth here Saturday afternoon inside Hodges Fieldhouse, 74-52.

The Tritons outscored the Panthers 19-13 in the third quarter and 23-14 in the fourth to pull away for the ICCAC win.

Tessa Grooms led the way for Iowa Central (8-5 overall, 2-3 in league) with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Kaitlyn Tendal added 13 points, 11 boards, five assists and two steals. Jaci Christensen was also in double figures, scoring 10 points.

Brianna Habben grabbed 10 rebounds and scored eight points, while Aleaha Pommer had eight points, three steals and two assists.

"We had a great team win," ICCC head coach Sabah Dickerson said. "We did a much better job on the boards, pulling in 66 rebounds. Our press is continuing to improve each game and giving us additional scoring opportunities.

"It was nice to get a solid win to enter the holiday break."

For the Panthers (2-10, 0-3), Kay'Lajaha Jefferson and Shamika Maria each scored 13.

Leading by eight late in the third, the Tritons closed the quarter on a run that stretched through the fourth. The lead would reach 25 on a Pommer bucket in the fourth.

Iowa Central will close out the month in Minnesota when they face North Dakota Science on Dec. 30 and Minnesota West on Dec. 31.