Photo courtesy of Iowa Central Athletics: Iowa Central teammates Ashlin Jacobsen (12) and Sharon Greek celebrate Saturday’s victory over DMACC.

Though it was a mild upset on paper, the Iowa Central women’s basketball team felt like Saturday’s 51-44 victory over 20th-ranked (NJCAA Div. II) DMACC was anything but a surprise.

The Tritons (14-5 overall, 7-4 in the ICCAC) grinded their way to the pivotal conference triumph, taking an eight-point lead into the halftime break and hanging on from there.

“It was a gritty win, and I was really proud of how we competed,” ICCC head coach Graham McFall said. “We talked all week about the game being won on the defensive end, and our players executed.”

Izzy Bassett had 11 points for Iowa Central, making a trifecta of three-point baskets. Trista Ohlmeier added nine points and 10 rebounds, with Amelia Echternkamp also adding nine and Shakani Murray eight.

The Tritons overcame 27 percent shooting from behind the three-point arc and 21 turnovers by ramping up a stellar defensive effort. The Bears (13-6, 5-6) made only three of their 22 triple tries and had 17 turnovers of their own. No DMACC player reached double figures in scoring.

The Bears have dropped six straight since a 13-0 start. The 44 points on Saturday was their lowest output of the year.

“It was a game of runs, and we stepped up in the crucial moments when it mattered most,” McFall said. “Everyone played a part in this. It was a complete team win.”

Iowa Central hits the road this week, traveling to Southeastern on Wednesday and Iowa Western on Saturday.

IOWA CENTRAL 51, DMACC 44

Iowa Central — Izzy Bassett 4-12 0-0 11, Trista Ohlmeier 3-6 3-4 9, Amelia Echternkamp 3-6 1-2 9, Shakani Murray 3-11 2-2 8, Ashlin Jacobsen 2-6 0-1 4, Sharon Greek 1-2 0-0 3, MacKenna Bush 1-1 0-0 3, Ashleigh Kerr 1-2 0-0 2, Annika Scott 1-1 0-0 2, Eden Hentges 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 19-47 6-9 51.

DMACC — Jordan Valley 3-7 0-0 7, Whitney Jensen 3-7 0-0 6, Breeley Clayburg 3-10 0-0 6, Chloe Costello 1-6 1-2 4, Brooklyn Valley 1-4 0-0 2, Aunasia Dunn 2-11 1-2 5, Jaylyn Beran 1-2 3-3 5, Alivia Carr 1-8 1-3 3, Mariam Omran 1-4 1-2 3, Abriya Watkins 1-3 0-0 3, Reagan Wheeler 0-0 0-0 0, Missy Evezic 0-3 0-0 0. Totals: 17-65 7-12 44.

Quarter scores: Iowa Central led 11-8, 29-21, 39-35. Three-point goals: Iowa Central 7-26 (Bassett 3-10, Echternkamp 2-5, Greek 1-1, Bush 1-1, Jacobsen 0-4, Murray 0-5); DMACC 3-22 (J. Valley 1-5, Costello 1-4, Watkins 1-2, Jensen 0-3, B. Valley 0-3, Dunn 0-1, Carr 0-2, Omran 0-2). Rebounds: DMACC 41, Iowa Central 34. Assists: Iowa Central 12, DMACC 6. Turnovers: Iowa Central 21, DMACC 17. Fouls: Iowa Central 15, DMACC 12.