Dutch offense rises to the occasion in men’s basketball win

PELLA- After struggling to make shots in the first half, the Central College men’s basketball team erupted for 54 points in the second half of a 91-72 win over the University of Northwestern St. Paul (Minn.) Saturday.

A 10-0 scoring run pushed the Eagles (2-9) lead to six late in the first half. They led the Dutch (5-5) 40-36 going into the break.

Central erupted for a 30-11 run after halftime and led 66-51 just eight minutes into the second half. The Dutch held a 55-32 scoring advantage in the second half.

Owen Schipper (sophomore, Waukee) had his biggest game of the season with 34 points, making 13 of 16 shot attempts. He also recorded a double-double with 12 rebounds.

Schipper did hit five 3-pointers, but also was dominant inside as Central totaled 50 points in the paint.

Three other Central players reached double figures as Grant Uecker (sophomore, Urbandale) had 14, Kyle Cason (freshman, Grimes, Dallas Center-Grimes HS) had 13 and Braylon Thomsen (freshman, Carbon Cliff, Ill., Davenport Assumption [Iowa] HS) had 11. Cason just missed a double-double with nine rebounds. Uecker had a team-high five assists.