Pella, Iowa -- 2/15/25-Central College Women's Basketball vs Dubuque. Photo by Dan L. Vander Beek

Despite trailing for 32 minutes Thursday night, the fourth-seeded Central College men’s basketball team upset the top-seeded University of Dubuque 78-71 in overtime of the American Rivers Conference Tournament Semifinals.

After an even first half that saw Dubuque leading by four points at halftime, the Dutch held the Spartans to 26 points on 22.2% shooting from the field in the second half. Despite the cold shooting, the Spartans’ Jaylin McCants tied the game with an offensive rebound and put-back layup at the end of regulation. In overtime, Central shot 3-of-6 from the field, while continuing its stout defense by holding Dubuque to six points on 2-of-10 shooting to close out the win. Joshua Van Gorp had his sixth game of 30 or more points this season with 32 in the win, while also adding 13 rebounds and two blocked shots. The Dutch (16-11, 9-7 American Rivers) totaled 17 assists on their 28 made field goals, and Kaleb Brand led the team with seven and Bradley Curren added five. Brand also contributed 15 points and nine rebounds. Karson Wehde also reached double figures with 12 points while collecting six rebounds. Freshmen Owen Schipper and Grant Uecker both had productive games as well. Schipper’s lone points came on a three in overtime, but he gave the Dutch 12 rebounds and three assists, while Uecker came off the bench and had nine points and seven rebounds.

The Dutch advanced to the American Rivers Conference Championship game and will travel to Nebraska Wesleyan University on Saturday for a 7 pm game that can be heard live on 92.1 KRLS, with pregame coverage starting at 6:45 pm.