-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Amelia Echternkamp of Iowa Central shoots around Iowa Western on Saturday

After finishing off 2025 with a win on the road, the Iowa Central women were unable to start 2026 with a victory at home.

Iowa Western used a strong fourth quarter to hold the Tritons at bay here Saturday afternoon inside Hodges Fieldhouse, escaping with a 70-60 victory.

Balanced scoring helped the Reivers, as four players reached double figures. Aniyah Howard had 24 points, Kailynne Small added 13, Savanah Appel finished with 12 and Sydney Donaldson had 10.

Iowa Western knocked down 6 of 9 shots from the 3-point line, including a perfect 3-for-3 effort from Small.

For Iowa Central, Trista Ohlmeier scored a game-high 26 points and Izzy Bassett sank seven triples, finishing with 21 off the bench. Ohlmeier had eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks.

Outside of Ohlmeier and Bassett, the rest of the Triton roster finished with just 13 points on 5 of 30 shooting from the field.

Iowa Western was plus-11 on the glass and had 14 second-chance points. They were also plus-10 on points in the paint.

Up next for the Tritons will be a road trip to Iowa Falls on Wednesday night to face Ellsworth.

IOWA WESTERN 70, IOWA CENTRAL 60

Iowa Central – Annika Scott 1-5 0-0 3, Ashlin Jacobsen 1-6 2-2 4, Amelia Echternkamp 0-4 0-0 0, Shakani Murray 2-6 0-0 4, Trista Ohlmeier 8-14 10-14 26, Kaydence Nicholas 0-1 0-0 0, Sharon Greek 1-3 0-0 2, Izzy Bassett 7-14 0-0 21, MacKenna Bush 0-5 0-0 0, Eden Hentges 0-0 0-0 0, Ashleigh Kerr 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 20-58 12-16 60.

Iowa Western – Kailynne Small 5-8 0-0 13, Aniyah Howard 10-12 4-7 24, Savanah Appel 6-15 0-0 12, Sydney Donaldson 3-5 3-6 10, Grace Albertsen 1-6 0-0 2, Tonia Matthews 1-2 0-0 3, Kaity Driskell 1-2 0-0 3, Jordyn Rohlfsen 0-0 0-0 0, Tiana Johnson 0-0 0-0 0, Reagan Palmer 1-3 1-2 4, Assata Lytle 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 28-54 8-15 70.

Quarter scores: Iowa Western led 18-14, 28-27, 45-41. Three-point goals: Iowa Central 8-29 (Scott 1-5, Jacobsen 0-4, Echternkamp 0-2, Murray 0-1, Ohlmeier 0-1, Greek 0-1, Bassett 7-11, Bush 0-4), Iowa Western 6-9 (Small 3-3, Donaldson 1-1, Matthews 1-2, Driskell 1-2, Palmer 0-1). Total rebounds: Iowa Central 23, Iowa Western 34. Assists: Iowa Central 12, Iowa Western 7. Turnovers: Iowa Central 12, Iowa Western 15. Steals: Iowa Central 5, Iowa Western 5. Team fouls: Iowa Central 14, Iowa Western 16.