The Central and Simpson college basketball teams kick-off the American Rivers Conference season tonight in Pella. 

With a change in the schedule this season, tonight’s matchups mark the first time the Dutch and Storm have met before December since 2004. In the women’s contest this evening, Central is looking to snap a 43-game losing streak to Simpson that dates back to 2002. The Dutch women are 2-1 so far on the young season, while the Storm women are 1-2. Opening the season short handed, the Simpson women are now back at a full roster. Cassie Nash and Elle Street, who were a part of the Storm women’s soccer team competing in the NCAA Tournament, returned to practice last week and will be available tonight.

In the men’s game, the Storm will attempt to snap a four-game losing streak to the Dutch. Central pulled out a 76-74 victory at Simpson last February to win the conference’s regular season title. Winning both games by less than 10 points last year, Dutch head coach Joe Steinkamp says that he expects another hard-fought battle between the rival schools.

“It’s just going to be a game that I’m sure will come down to the last couple of minutes like it usually does. You know, it’s about getting stops and efficient offense and we’re excited to get rolling. It almost feels like it’s too early to be having a conference game already, but I know our guys we’ll be ready.”

With every possession likely to matter, Simpson head coach Brad Bjorkgren says his team needs to prioritize rebounding against a taller Dutch frontcourt.

“We have some size and our guys work hard in the weight room and so we have a bunch of guys that are strong enough to get rebounds. We just need to put forth an effort to do that.”

Coverage of the Central and Simpson basketball doubleheader from P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium can be heard live on 92.1 KRLS and viewed on the Central Dutch Network beginning with pregame at 5:15 p.m.