Five Takeaways: Pella 51 vs Dallas Center-Grimes 48

Grimes — When the buzzer sounded and the third quarter ended, Pella found themselves down nine, on the road, against Little Hawkeye Conference rival Dallas Center-Grimes.

The fourth quarter, though, was dominated by the Dutch, who got key shots and clutch performances from several players en route to a thrilling come-from-behind win.

With three seconds to go, the Dutch had done enough to build a three point lead, but DC-G would get the final possession and a chance to tie the game. The Mustangs were unable to get off a shot.

Emily Holterhaus was quiet at the start, but finished the game in dominant fashion for Pella. The 6’1 center scored 18 of her 24 points in the second half, 13 alone in the third quarter.

For DC-G, it was junior wing Jordan Cunningham who impressed. She scored a team-high 16 points in the loss, and looked to be one of the better college prospects on the floor.

Team Scoring

Pella  — 12  5  16  18  — 51

DC-G —  7  19  16   6  — 48

Individual Scoring 

Pella: Emily Holterhaus 24, Faith Diers 10, Elizabeth Cairney 6, Madison Parks 4, Sidnie VanMark 3, Anna VanderWaal 3, Grace Held 1.

DC-G: Jordan Cunningham 16, Elizabest Elfvin 13, Julia Reis 12, Lexi Protzman 4, Ella Lampe 3.

Five Takeaways

Holterhaus Turns it On

A lot of the first half was a struggle for the Dutch. They went into the break down 26-17, that after losing the second quarter 19-5. In the third quarter, DC-G stayed hot, but Pella forward Emily Holterhaus got red-hot, too. The 6’1 senior scored 13 of her 24 points in the third quarter, and although it wasn’t enough to get Pella close, it was enough to mitigate the Mustangs’ lead. Because Holterhaus went off in the third quarter, that allowed Pella to get within striking distance in the fourth – which eventually led to the Dutch getting over the hump.

Fourth Quarter Dominance

Things were not looking good for Pella. Although Emily Holterhaus had her game going good, the rest of the team could not find its rhythm offensively. So, the Dutch girls turned on the jets defensively, and did their damage that way. After DC-G scored 19 points in the second quarter and then 16 points in the third, Pella’s staunch D held the Mustangs to just six fourth quarter points. That stifling defense paired with the Dutch’s best quarter of the night, 18 points, was enough to overcome the unlikely and impressive comeback win.

Fearless Faith

One other girl scored in double figures for Pella in the win, that was sophomore guard Faith Diers. The best part of her solid performance, was that seven of her 10 points came in the fourth quarter, in crunch-time, when Pella needed her most. She was at the free-throw line in crucial situations late, and canned all four of her tries. She had an open look at a 3-ball when the Dutch absolutely needed it in the fourth quarter and without hesitation, buried it. A lot of seniors wouldn’t have the valor to try and take control of a game like she was doing down the stretch. Diers was critical to the Dutch win tonight.

Versatile Cunningham 

At times in this game, DC-G junior Jordan Cunningham was dominant. In the second quarter she scored nine points, and did so with an array of offense. She canned a 3-ball (one of two in the game), got to the free-throw line, and put in two twos to get the nine points. She also ended the half with a beautiful assist to sophomore guard Julia Reis, who canned a 3-ball of her own. Cunningham is the Mustangs’ leading scorer this season, she’s 5’10 and has great length paired with the height. She handles it a little bit and shoots it well. She looks the part of a sought-after college prospect.

Dutch Get Revenge

Earlier this season, it was Dallas Center-Grimes who got the win in the Mustangs-Dutch season series. Almost a month to the day later, it was Pella who got the hard-fought win. For DC-G, it was Jordan Cunningham and Julia Reis who were great in both games, combining for 35 points in the first game, a win, and then 28 points last night. Pella’s Emily Holterhaus, who was certainly the star in the Dutch’s win last night, was also having her way the first time the team’s met; she went for 18 points on 7-9 shooting in that 55-51 Pella loss. In the two games combined, Pella has scored 102 points to DC-G’s 103 points. It’s safe to say, these two teams are quite evenly matched this season.