Central men’s basketball team outlasts Eureka

Central College

PELLA—Central College survived a late second-half run to capture a 59-56 men’s basketball victory over Eureka (Ill.) College Saturday.

Central, ahead 29-25 at the half, extended its lead to nine before the Red Devils cut the margin to one with a 12-4 run at the five-minute mark. Senior guard Brock Caves (Douds, Van Buren HS) hit three of four free throws in the final minute to secure the win and improve the Dutch to 3-1 overall.

Caves led the Central offense, posting his first career double-double with 18 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. He also recorded four steals and three assists. Caves closed the first half with 13 points, going 3-for-3 from long range.

“Brock had a very good night and played especially well in the first half,” coach Mike Boschee said. “He showed great poise and good leadership.”

Although the Red Devils (1-3) outrebounded the Central squad 40-39, the Dutch recorded 16 second-chance points compared to Eureka’s seven. The Dutch also forced 20 Eureka turnovers.

“We didn’t play as well as we’d like but our defense was solid,” Boschee said. “Our defense kept us in the game and the free throws sealed the win.”

Central was 16-for-21 at the free-throw line and shot 34 percent overall from the floor. The Dutch hit 42 percent from behind the 3-point arc in the first half but were held scoreless from long range in the second half.

Central got 11 points and six rebounds from guard Jacob Winkler (junior, Lancaster, Mo., Schuyler R-1), who helped cool the Red Devils attack down low.

“Jacob did good things inside for us when we really needed it,” Boschee said. “He did a good job finishing and rebounding and ended their run with good, inspired post play.”

Guard Demarco Turner (senior, Des Moines, East HS) chipped in 10 points.

The Dutch open their Iowa Conference schedule Wednesday, hosting Buena Vista University (1-4) in a men’s-women’s doubleheader at P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium. The women’s game begins at 6 p.m. and the men tipoff at 8 p.m.

“We’re excited for league play and these non-conference games have given us a chance to iron things out,” Boschee said. “Buena Vista will be a difficult game and one we need to be ready for as a team.”

Both contests will be broadcast on KRLS-FM (92.1) with live stats and a video webcast available at www.central.edu/athletics.