Central men’s basketball team collects its first win of the season
PELLA- The Central College men’s basketball team never trailed and picked up its first win of the season Saturday when it defeated Augsburg University 105-60.
Central (1-1) got off to a hot start scoring 54 points, shooting 62.8% from the field, 7-14 from behind the three-point line in the first half.
“We moved the ball really well,” said coach Joe Steinkamp. The high number of assists is a big indicator. I also liked how we played in transition as well as handling Augsburg zone defense.”
As a team, Central finished the game shooting 61.8% from the field, 50% from behind the three-point line and collected 27 assists.
The Dutch were once again led in scoring by Joshua Van Gorp (5th-year, Pella, Pella Christian HS) who scored 23 points on 10-13 shooting. He also collected his second double-double of the season with 10 rebounds including five offensive rebounds.
“Josh just did his thing today,” Steinkamp said. “He creates so much attention and that leads to open three-point shots.”
Central scored 60 bench points led by Aiden Stoltz (sophomore, Pella, Pella Christian HS) who had 12 points on 4-5 shooting from, behind the three-point line. Grant Uecker (freshman, Urbandale) had nine points and five assists, also off the bench.
“Our bench was great throughout and it was great to see contributions early on,” Steinkamp said. “They kept doing the same thing the starters were doing, and it was great to see everyone play. Stoltz is a great shooter, and we knew he had one of these games in him coming soon and we are happy for him.”
Owen Schipper (freshman, Waukee) was perfect from the field going 3-3 and scoring seven points, and he collected six rebounds and one assist. Kaleb Brand (5th-year, Mount Vernon) also scored seven points, while he also racked up five assists. On the defensive end he led the team with two steals.
The Dutch outscored Augsburg (1-2) 50-36 on points in the paint as well as in points off turnovers 21-8.
The team returns to the court Wednesday when it travels to Gustavus Adolphus College (Minn.) and plays at 7 p.m.
