Despite missing all thirteen 3-point shots they attempted, the Central men’s basketball team was able to slow down one of the hottest teams in the Iowa Conference and claimed their first league title in 15 seasons, as they downed Loras last night 69-59.

The Dutch relied on intense defense to help them recover from a four-point deficit early in the second half and then put themselves up for good with a pair of scoring runs on offense. Loren Liming’s 27-point effort led the Central men on offense, while Mark Holan had a team-high 11 rebounds to compliment his 11 points. The Dutch also got 15 points and 5 assists from Miguel Ley.

With help from an upset 83-80 win by Simpson over Buena Vista, Central Head Coach Mike Boschee got his first Iowa Conference title; seven seasons after inheriting a team that went 5-21 in 2003-04. The Dutch are now 19-4 overall and 12-2 in the Iowa Conference and are off until next Wednesday when they travel to Coe College.

Pella native Haley Brillhart filled up the stat sheet, but again the Central women’s basketball team fell short, as they were defeated 86-66 by Loras last night. Brillhart’s performance included 17 points, 15 rebounds, six assists, six blocks and two steals; but the sophomore’s fourth double-double of the season wasn’t enough to overcome another early-game deficit that left the Central women scrambling to catch up.

The Dutch were down 26-10 midway through the first half, and got within 7 points in the second half, only to see the Duhawks roll off a double-digit scoring run. Loras had four players finish with ten points or more.

The Central women have now lost 16-straight games and are 2-21 overall, and 1-13 in the Iowa Conference, going into a much needed week off.