Central Athletics News January 17
Central College Athletics
DUBUQUE—Four consecutive second-half 3-pointers from guard Demarco Turner (senior, Des Moines, East HS) sparked the Central College men’s basketball team to a 97-81 victory over the Univ. of Dubuque Monday night.
The Dutch held a slim 42-39 lead at halftime and broke away from the Spartans with just under 15 minutes left in the second half. Turner’s four 3-pointers and two free throws along with another 3-pointer from guard Brock Caves (junior, Douds, Van Buren HS) gave Central a 66-53 advantage. The Dutch maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the game.
“Knocking down those 3-pointers was pretty big,” coach Mike Boschee said. “Dubuque added some pressure but we played aggressively and did well attacking and breaking the press and then going on to score.”
Central (8-7 overall, 4-3 conference) shot a scorching 61 percent (36-of-59) from the floor, including 76.9 percent (10-for-13) from 3-point range—connecting for a perfect 6-for-6 behind the arc in the second half. The Dutch also hit 15 of 18 free throws.
“Our players are making that extra pass,” Boschee said. “For the second game in a row they aren’t caring who scores but are working together for a good shot.”
Turner led the balanced attack with a game-high 31 points, shooting 9-for-10 from the field, 6-for-6 in 3-point range. Forward Jack Bruns (junior, Story City, Roland-Story HS) added 18 points while Caves had 17, hitting 6 of 7 field goals, 3-for-4 from behind the arc. Coming off the bench, forward Jacob Winkler (sophomore, Lancaster, Mo., Schuyler R-1) chipped in 12 points.
Winkler collected eight rebounds and forward James Chapline (senior, Ogden) had six to lead the Dutch to a 41-23 rebounding advantage over Dubuque (10-6 overall, 4-3 conference).
“Rebounding is something we always strive to do well and it really paid dividends tonight,” Boschee said.
The Dutch return to action Wednesday, tackling Buena Vista Univ. in a women’s-men’s doubleheader inside P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium. The women’s game tips off at 6 p.m. with the men’s game at 8 p.m. The Beavers (6-10 overall, 3-4 conference) enter the matchup after an 83-77 defeat to Simpson College Monday.
A video webstream and live stats of Wednesday’s games will be available through the Central athletics website at www.central.edu/athletics.
DUBUQUE—A victory over Cornell College Saturday gave the Central College women’s basketball team reason for optimism but the Dutch weren’t able to accelerate their momentum Monday night, tumbling at the Univ. of Dubuque, 78-57.
Central (4-12 overall, 1-6 Iowa Conference) led 7-6 after nearly 5 minutes of play but it was all Dubuque the rest of the night. The Spartans (5-11 overall, 2-5 conference) muscled their way to a 39-24 halftime lead and Central drew no closer than nine points in the second half.
Forward Nicole Strasko (sophomore, Roland, Roland-Story HS) continued her recent improvement for the Dutch with 17 points and seven rebounds.
“We were getting her the ball just around the basket and she was able to get around the defender and score,” coach Jerry Nikkel said. “She did a pretty nice job for us.
“But other than that we really played poorly. It’s hard to take because we played so well Saturday and I couldn’t wait to get on the floor tonight. But we gave them way too many easy shots and we had 28 turnovers, which really hurt us.”
Forward Haley Brillhart (junior, Pella) added nine points and guard Sarah Paulson (junior, Ottumwa) had eight.
The Dutch hit only 17-of-55 from the floor (30.9 percent) while Dubuque was 25-of-60 (41.7 percent). The Spartans held a slight 42-41 rebounding edge.
Central has a day to turn things around before taking on Buena Vista Univ. Wednesday in a women’s-men’s doubleheader at 6 p.m. in P.H. Kuyper Gym. The Beavers (7-9 overall, 3-4 conference) nearly pulled off a huge upset Monday night, pushing first-place Simpson to the wire before dropping a 78-77 decision.
A video webstream and live stats of Wednesday’s games will be available through the Central athletics website at www.central.edu/athletics.
