Van Gorp Double-Double Powers Central to Men’s Basketball Win

Center Joshua Van Gorp (junior, Pella, Pella Christian HS) notched his fifth career statistical double-double as the Central College men’s basketball team streaked to its fifth consecutive win, 70-58 at Cornell College Saturday.

It’s the longest win streak since 2015 for the Dutch (8-3), who were up 38-25 at intermission. They led by as many as 22 points and the final margin was the closest of the second half.

Van Gorp pumped in 26 points on 12-of-16 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. Guard Kade Terrell (5th-year, Montrose, Colo.) added 11 points while guard Drew Edwards (senior, Eden Prairie, Minn.) had seven assists and forward Kole Tupa (junior, Center Point, Center Point-Urbana HS) had six assists. The Dutch passed out 21 assists on their 27 baskets. Guard Jalen Wilmington (senior, Chicago, Ill., Crete Monee HS), had nine points, two steals and a block in 16 minutes of action off the bench. The Dutch outshot Cornell (3-9) 46.7% to 44.4% and held a 39-33 advantage on the glass.

Central takes a break for Christmas before resuming American Rivers play Jan. 4 with a women’s-men’s doubleheader at Waverly against Wartburg College. The men’s contest tips off at 7:30 p.m. 

Central Outscored in Women’s Basketball Road Setback

Breaking open a tight game after the first quarter, Bethany Lutheran College (Minn.) outscored the Central College women’s basketball team 81-57 Saturday.

A 3-point bucket with 11 seconds left in the second period pushed Bethany Lutheran to a 19-15 advantage and the Vikings took command with an 18-9 second quarter before erupting for 25 points in the third period.

Central guard Kelsea Hurley (senior, Scottsdale, Ariz., Desert Mountain HS)  had 17 points and a pair of assists while guard Samantha Scott (sophomore, Davenport, North Scott HS) had 14 points and four rebounds. Guard Hannah Dau (sophomore, Paullina, South O’Brien HS) had four assists and guard Danae Greig (senior, Albany, Ore., West Albany HS) had six rebounds.

Central (3-8) was outshot 45.1% to 29.4% from the field.

Bethany Lutheran (3-7) outrebounded Central 48-40 but the Dutch had a 15-13 edge in offensive boards. And Central made some progress at the free throw stripe, hitting 71.4% (10-14).

The Dutch break for Christmas before traveling to Westminster College (Mo.) for 5 p.m. non-conference game Dec. 30.