Central College enjoyed a seven-point lead but host Gustavus Adolphus College took control in the second half for an 81-75 men’s basketball victory Saturday.

Guard Jaden Moody had 18 points for Central (1-4) and guard Adam Flinn came off the bench to add 16. The Dutch used a 7-0 flurry to go up 40-33 in the closing seconds of the first half and led 40-35 at intermission. But Central last led 50-48 with 15:22 left in the game. The Golden Gusties (2-2) reeled off nine unanswered points and led the rest of the way.

Central College staged a huge turnaround but couldn’t sustain its momentum in a 62-53 women’s basketball loss at Knox College Saturday. The Dutch trailed by 19 in the first half and were down 33-15 at intermission after being outscored 18-4 in the second quarter. But Central opened the third period with 24-5 burst, grabbing a 39-38 lead with 51 seconds left in the quarter. A pair of freshmen hit career highs but the offense stalled in the third quarter in a 61-53 loss to unbeaten Monmouth College Sunday. Guards Jenna Clark and Maci Gambell went off for 23 and 20 points, respectively.

Central opens American Rivers Conference play Wednesday with a women’s-men’s doubleheader at Nebraska Wesleyan.