Loras defeats Central in a men’s basketball shootout

DUBUQUE- In a high scoring matchup where Joshua Van Gorp (5th-year, Pella, Pella Christian HS) scored 40 points and played all 40 minutes, the Central College men’s basketball team suffered a 95-88 loss to Loras College.

The Dutch took a 47-37 lead into halftime when they shot 60% from the field, but couldn’t contain Loras which shot 54.5% from the field and 8-of-16 from three-point range in the second half. Loras totaled 58 points after halftime.

“We played a really good game offensively, but Loras got really hot in the second half,” coach Joe Steinkamp said.

Van Gorp collected his 14th double-double of the season, collecting 11 rebounds including four offensive rebounds. He shot 17-of-22 from the field and blocked three shots.

“Van Gorp was able to get great positioning, and the team did a great job of getting him the ball,” said Steinkamp.

Owen Schipper (freshman, Waukee) added 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting while also dishing out five assists. Karson Wehde (sophomore, Ankeny) also had 13 points while adding four rebounds and one steal.

“Wehde and Schipper both had really good games,” Steinkamp said. “They both did a great job of taking what the defense gave them.”

Kaleb Brand (5th-year, Mount Vernon) led the team with 10 assists while also scoring nine points.

“Brand was unbelievable with his passing and driving,” said Steinkamp. “He leads the league in assists and had some unbelievable passes all night long.”

Grant Uecker (freshman, Urbandale) and Will Henricksen (senior, Cedar Rapids, Marion) both scored five points off the bench. Uecker added two assists and one steal.

As a team Central shot 57.9% from the field and 38.9% from three-point range compared to Loras which shot 50.8% from the field and 37.5% from three. Loras scored 31 bench points and added 16 points off turnovers.

Central is off on Wednesday before it welcome the University of Dubuque in P.H. Gymnasium for a 4 p.m. matchup.