Winkler block preserves Central men’s basketball win in Puerto Rico
Central College
SAN JUAN, P.R. — Forward Jacob Winkler (junior, Lancaster, Mo., Schuyler R-1 HS) swatted away a potential game-winning shot and the Central College men’s basketball team escaped with a 53-52 victory over Goucher (Md.) in Puerto Rico Sunday.
The Dutch improved to 8-1, matching their best start since 1977-78. Central was also 8-1 to start the 2007-08 campaign.
But a week of final exams and a long day of travel combined with bruising defensive play to take a toll on the Dutch offense, as Central was held to its lowest point total of the season. Playing in an open-air court with 80-degree temperatures, Central shot a frigid 29.9 percent for the game, including just 4-of-20 from 3-point range, and failed to place a player in double figures.
Nonetheless, the Dutch appeared to be in command in the first half. After falling behind 8-2, Central outscored Goucher 28-7 and was up 30-15 with 3:17 left. The Dutch led 32-21 at intermission.
Central still held a 51-41 advantage with 5:16 remaining but managed just two points the rest of the way. Goucher (1-8) climbed within 51-50 with 2:27 left, before guard Brock Caves (senior, Douds, Van Buren HS) scored and was fouled with 1:02 remaining. But Caves missed the free throw. Goucher converted two free throws with 37 seconds left and had the ball out of bounds with 3.4 seconds remaining. Goucher’s Marcus Cotton tried a desperation 3-point shot but Winkler blocked it at the buzzer.
“It doesn’t show in the stats but I thought we played pretty well given the circumstances,” coach Mike Boschee said. “We didn’t shoot the ball very well at all but it was a tough environment. We got some good looks out of our offense but we didn’t finish.”
Goucher struggled as well, connecting on just 31.0 percent from the field.
“It was a very physical game,” Boschee said. “I thought the guys fought through it for the most part.”
Forward Matt Greenfield (sophomore, Huxley, Ballard HS) had nine points and five rebounds off the bench while Winkler had eight points and nine rebounds. Guards Demarco Turner (senior, Des Moines, East HS) and KJ Cool (junior, Chillicothe, Mo., Newtown Harris R3 HS) each had eight points. Caves had four steals and three assists.
Central has a bigger challenge Monday, playing host Sacred Heart (P.R.) at 3 p.m. (Central Time).
“They’ll probably be even more physical,” Boschee said. “They’ve got quite a few big guys and they like to bang around. We’ll have to make a few more outside shots and finish better inside.”
