The No. 5 in Class 3A Pella boys basketball team scored an early-season signature win, toppling the defending Class 4A champions Ankeny 68-64 Tuesday night in game two of a varsity doubleheader heard live on 92.1 KRLS.

In the first half that featured 15 lead changes or ties, both teams battled closely in a contest where neither team led by more than six until the final two minutes of the fourth quarter.

The Dutch used foul shooting to pull away late, hitting 9 of their 10 last free throws to protect their 4th quarter advantage.

Pella was led by a remarkable 7-for-9 three-point shooting performance from Karl Miller for 27 points, and a 15 point night from Grant Nelson.

Head Coach Derek Schulte was proud of how his team rose to the challenge and didn’t back down from many players who were on the roster of a state title team in Iowa’s largest class this past March.

In the opener, the Lady Dutch fought hard and kept it close, only to lose another tight contest against the Hawkettes 54-50. Pella opened the first quarter with a 16-9 lead, only for a nine-turnover second period leading to a loss of that advantage.

Head Coach Jerod Garland was still impressed to see his team fight against a 5A opponent until the end, but also notes they need to find ways to win close games after dropping three contests late already this season.

Reagan Van Wyk paced the Lady Dutch with a 20 point night, and Jasmine Namminga added eight points and six rebounds in her strongest game of the new season to date.

Pella’s boys are 5-0, while the Lady Dutch fall to 3-3, and both return to Little Hawkeye Conference action on the road to Newton Friday. Hear those games on the KRLS2 stream.

Tune into tonight’s KNIA/KRLS Radio Sports Page to hear more from the Pella basketball seniors about the 2020-21 winter season.