Comeback bid falls short for Central men’s basketball team
Central College
ST. LOUIS, MO. — The Central College men’s basketball team hit three 3-pointers in the final minute but could not catch Webster (Mo.) in a 70-65 road loss Friday.
Webster (7-3) led by seven with 1:08 to play before guard Kyle Smith (freshman, Ionia, New Hampton HS), guard Austin Hauser (junior, Marshalltown) and guard Nile Eckermann (senior, Oxford, Clear Creek Amana HS) drained 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to bring the Dutch (6-3) within one, 66-65. After two made free throws by Webster, Central had an opportunity to tie the game but could not connect on a 3-pointer. Webster hit two more free throws to earn the five-point victory.
Free throw shooting was important for Webster down the stretch. The Gorloks hit seven of their last eight shots from the charity stripe.
The Dutch found themselves in a hole early, trailing the Gorloks 33-26 at halftime.
“I thought we came out tentative in the first half for some reason,” said coach Craig Douma. “Our guys did not attack the zone the way we would like them to attack it.”
Douma thought his team’s play improved after halftime.
“In the second half I was much more pleased with our effort,” said Douma. “We attacked offensively and we took care of the ball.”
Forward Colby Taylor (sophomore, Creston) recorded his third double-double of the season, scoring 15 points and tying a career high with 14 rebounds.
“Colby was really active on rebounds,” said Douma. “We were able to utilize him and attack the middle of the zone in the second half.”
Eckermann and forward Kyle Newendorp (senior, Pella) were also in double figures for Central, scoring 13 and 10 points respectively.
Douma liked what he saw out of Hauser Friday. The junior guard scored nine points, grabbed four rebounds and had two assists.
“I thought the guy that really came to play tonight was Austin Hauser,” said Douma. “He played really hard. He just did a lot of good things tonight. He hit some big shots in the second half that sort of kept us in it.”
The Dutch will return home to face Grand View (5-6) Dec. 31 at 3 p.m.
