Despite solid efforts Saturday, the Central College basketball teams were swept in an American Rivers Conference doubleheader at the University of Dubuque heard live on 92.1 KRLS. The Dutch women’s squad fell to the Spartans in the opening game of the twin bill 76-69, while the Central men’s team fell 74-67.

Despite six lead changes in the first three quarters of the women’s game, Dubuque held the advantage for most of the contest. The Spartans led for just over 30 minutes in the game, and carried a 50-49 edge going into the fourth quarter. Dubuque expanded the lead to 11 with just over a minute remaining, but Central came back to cut the final deficit to seven. The Dutch (10-6, 3-4 American Rivers) had three players score in double figures, with CeCe Moore leading the way with 16 points and seven rebounds. Abby Johnson had 14 points in the loss and Emily Naughton added 10 points, three assists, and four steals. The bench contributed 18 points with Jasmyn Williams leading that unit with seven points and six assists, while Allie Rateike contributed five points. Dubuque shot 47.3% from the field and 40% from three compared to Central shooting 35.4% from the field and 21.4% from three.

In the nightcap, the Spartans shot 51.7% from the field in the first half to build up a 37-30 halftime lead. The Dutch defense responded in the second half, holding their opponents to just 35.5% from the field and cut a 16-point second-half deficit down to three, but could not get over the hump in the seven-point loss. Kaleb Brand led Central in the loss with 16 points and six assists while Joshua Van Gorp added 15 points and seven rebounds. Owen Schipper had his first career double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Karson Wehde just missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds. Off the bench, Grant Uecker scored six points and Will Henricksen added five points. As a team, the Dutch shot 42.2% from the field but only 29.6% from three compared to Dubuque who shot 43.3% from the field and 40% from three. 

Both Central basketball teams will look to rebound at home on Wednesday, returning to P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium to host Luther College in a doubleheader that begins at 5:30 pm.