Storm rain on Dutch men’s basketball Senior Day
Central College
PELLA — Senior forward Colby Taylor (Creston) had 23 points and 10 rebounds on Senior Day Saturday but Simpson College defeated the Central College men’s basketball team 82-71 at Kuyper Gym.
“Colby played really well tonight,” said coach Craig Douma. “He has done everything he could to get ready and play. He’s trying his best to get back to 100 percent after his injury.”
Central (12-11 overall, 6-8 Iowa Conference) led 39-33 at halftime however Simpson scorched the nets in the second half to overcome the Dutch. The Storm shot 51 percent for the game, including a red-hot 57.1 percent second half.
Junior guard Trashawn Boyd (Normal, Ill., University HS) had 13 points and four assists and senior forward Ryan Kunkel (Solon) added seven points and five rebounds.
“I thought Trashawn played very aggressive tonight,” said Douma. “He played with great energy.”
Simpson controlled the rebound battle 38-30 and shot 23-of-29 from the free throw line while Central shot 5-of-10.
“Free throws were the difference in the game tonight,” said Douma. “I thought we should have gotten to the line a few more times but it didn’t happen.”
Central continues conference play Wednesday with a women’s-men’s doubleheader against Buena Vista with the men’s game beginning at 8 p.m. It’s the home-season finale for the Dutch and the first 100 Central students in attendance receive a free t-shirt. Buena Vista won the teams’ first matchup of the season 94-87 Jan. 7 at Storm Lake.
The Dutch thanked seniors Darius Bradford (Richmond, Texas, Lamar Consolidated HS), Austin Glawe (Aurelia, Sioux Central HS), Tate Handskaer (Nevada), Kunkel, Jordan Saddoris (Ankeny), Taylor and Pete Walker (Red Oak) on Saturday.
“This class has set the bar extremely high for Central College,” said Douma. “This was my first full recruiting class and I can’t thank this group enough. It hasn’t been the season we wanted but there’s plenty of basketball left and this group has shown that they can win the Iowa Conference Tournament.”
