A 12-0 run late in the first half pushed the Central College women’s basketball team to a 62-49 victory against Grinnell College Thursday night.

Facing a five-point deficit with eight minutes remaining in the opening half, the Dutch called a timeout and regrouped. Central clawed within one with a layup from guard Alyssa Schwartz and back-to-back free throws from forward Nicole Strasko.

Six of Central’s next eight points came from guard Sarah Paulson. The Dutch limited the Pioneers to just one basket the rest of the half, a 3-pointer at 19 seconds, and took a 30-23 lead into the locker room.

Grinnell was never closer than seven points the rest of the night. Strasko led the Dutch with a game-high 16 points. Paulson had 14 points and a game-high nine rebounds and forward AJ Baker had 13 points and six rebounds. Forward Kelsey Schuring chipped in nine points.

The Central College women’s basketball team is now 2-0 to start the season and hosts Monmouth College tomorrow afternoon in their home opener. Central holds a 3-0 advantage in the all-time series.