Freshman Allison Van Gorp posted her first double-double as the Central College women’s basketball team outlasted Concordia University -Chicago 69-61 in a twice-delayed home season opener Tuesday. Two previous home games were called off due to health/safety issues with the visiting team, resulting in Central playing its latest home season opener since 2001-02, with the exception of last year’s abbreviated campaign which launched in January.

The Dutch (2-4) found the home rims to their liking in the early going, bolting to a 20-4 lead in the first 7:30. But Concordia-Chicago (3-4) responded with a 10-0 run to make it 20-14 at the end of the period.

Concordia-Chicago climbed to as close as 26-25 but Central stretched it to 34-25 at intermission and led wire-to-wire. Yet the Dutch had to hold off several runs. The Cougars hit just 31.9% from the floor but were 42.9% from 3-point range, knocking down 12 3-pointers.

Van Gorp finished with 20 points on nine-of-13 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds while blocking two shots. Guard Kelsea Hurley had 17 points, five assists and nine rebounds and freshman guard Alayna Akiona added 12 points on four 3-point buckets. Steinkamp also cited guard Kassidi Steel who had seven points, 10 rebounds, five assists and four steals.

Central shot 46.6% from the field and outrebounded Concordia-Chicago 48-36.

Central returns to American Rivers action for one more pre-Christmas contest Saturday, playing host to Coe College in a women’s-men’s doubleheader tipping off at 2 p.m. at P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium. The Kohawks are 3-5 overall and 0-3 in league play.