Central (9-12 overall, 6-7 conference) knocked down a school record-tying 37-of-52 free throws in the physical contest, which saw seven players foul out and two technicals whistled.
The Dutch, who enhanced their position in the battle for spots in the six-team league tournament, trailed by as many as five points in the first half and needed a last-second jumper by freshman Preston Davidson for a 31-29 lead at the break.
But Central burst out of the locker room with a 15-4 start for a 48-33 lead with 17:43 left. On the first two Dutch possessions of the half, Central missed free throws but snared rebounds that led to baskets that sparked the rally.
“We got off to a great start in the second half,” coach Mike Boschee said. “We made some great effort plays and those plays are usually the difference in games like this. Our rebounds helped Zak (Clark) get a couple of open looks.”
The Central run was highlighted by a thundering dunk from Clint Driftmier, who finished with 15 points and seven rebounds before fouling out.
Boschee used 11 players and got an important 5-minute first-half contribution in the middle by Zach Cooper (freshman, Johnston), the longest stint of his young collegiate career.
“I thought Zach really battled,” Boschee said. “That was an important 5 minutes. We got contributions from a lot of guys. I was really pleased with the bench (players). Their intensity was up all night and that carried over to the guys on the court.”
Wartburg (10-14 overall, 4-11 conference) also got a lift from its reserves, including Cashes Mason, who led the Knights with 25 points.
Central closes out its regular-season home schedule Saturday in a women’s-men’s league twinbill with the University of Dubuque Saturday. The men’s contest tips off at 4 p.m. at P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium. The Dutch suffered an 81-58 setback at Dubuque Jan. 12. Dubuque is 11-11 overall and 5-8 in the league after throwing a scare into first-place Loras College, tumbling 71-64 after seeing a 10-point halftime lead slip away. Saturday’s games will be broadcast on KRLS-FM (92.1) and can also be heard at www.kniakrls.com. Live stats will be available at the Central athletics Web site at www.central.edu/athletics.
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