Shorthanded because of illness was not a good way for the Central College women's basketball team to go into a fast-paced game with Iowa Conference Simpson College Wednesday.

The Dutch couldn't keep up, getting outscored 106-55. Starting forward Kelsey Schuring  was unable to play because of illness while forward Haley Brillhart was limited to 7 minutes of action.

Simpson (18-4 overall, 12-1 conference) used its full-court press to roll up a 66-25 halftime lead and coasted to the win. Central was outshot 52.9 percent to 32.2 while getting outrebounded 47-37.

"It's tough not having Kelsey, and Haley could hardly go but that doesn't lose the game for you," coach Jerry Nikkel said. "Simpson's a very talented team. They really pushed the ball tonight. They did a nice job."

Central forward Nicole Strasko had 14 points and eight rebounds in 23 minutes of action. Guard Cory Bacon had four assists.

"Nicole did a nice job," Nikkel said. "She was giving up 4 or 5 inches to everyone who was guarding her.

"I thought everybody we put in there played hard tonight."

Central travels to Mount Vernon Saturday for a women's-men's doubleheader at Cornell College. The Dutch were 72-54 winners over Cornell at Pella Jan. 15. Cornell is 7-13 overall and 2-11 in the league after a 66-54 setback at Luther Wednesday.

"We're not going to waste any time thinking about this one tonight," Nikkel said. "We need to put a couple of good practices in and get ready for Saturday."