Central Men’s Basketball Snaps Conference Losing Skid, Women Fall to Wartburg

The Central men’s basketball team defeated Wartburg 75-69 to secure their first American Rivers Conference win of the season on Saturday, while the women’s team fell to the Knights 80-43, and both games were heard live on 92.1 KRLS.

The Dutch men (8-8, 1-6 American Rivers Conference) led for 24 minutes after the lead changed hands five times. Central extended its streak to six wins in a row over Wartburg. Four players reached double figures in the victory, with Kyle Cason leading the way with 19 points. Owen Schipper and Anthony Gott each scored 16 points, and Schipper registered a double-double with 11 rebounds, Braylon Thomsen added 11 points. As a team, Central did most of their work in the lane, scoring 50 points in the paint.

In the women’s game, Wartburg led 29-21 at halftime, but a 31-point third quarter put the Knights firmly in control of the game. Central (7-9, 2-5 American Rivers Conference) struggled to slow down Wartburg, as the Knights shot 70.6% from the field in the third quarter, including 60% on 3-pointers. Maddie Backer led Central with eight points and McKenzie Snook added seven. 

The Dutch next travel to Coe College on Wednesday night for a doubleheader that starts at 5:30 pm.

Dutch Women Get Back to Wrestling Competition

In their first action since December 6th, the Central women’s wrestling team secured some big wins Saturday at the Cliff Keen – Mike Duroe Invitational hosted by Cornell College.

Dakota Cornell was 2-2 on the day at 160 pounds, winning once by fall and once by technical fall. Alondra Alvarez Chavez and Madilyn Rowson each had a victory by fall, and Esther Belzer battled for a 6-4 decision in the 138-pound bracket. Asia Young and Kalondria Carter were the only competitors in the 235-pound bracket. Young won two of three bouts to take first.

Central hosts the American Rivers Conference Championships next Saturday inside P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium starting at 10 am.