Driftmier had 13 points and 11 rebounds as Central improved to 7-7 in league play and 10-12 overall. The Dutch are in fifth place heading into the final two games of the regular season and are assured of a making their eighth appearance in the six-team tournament in the past nine years. The tourney begins Feb. 20.
Guard Zak Clark tied a school record by going 13-for-13 from the free throw line and topped the Dutch scoring with 19 points and seven assists while guard Miguel Ley had 11 points. Dubuque’s Tyler Daugherty had a game-high 28.
The win didn’t come easily. Central shot just 38.5 percent from the field and committed 20 turnovers. Coach Mike Boschee said playing on back-to-back nights had an effect.
“Both teams struggled a little with execution,” he said. “Our offense struggled and Clint (Driftmier) was getting quite a bit of defensive attention. When he doesn’t score, that makes it difficult for us.
“But a win is a win. The guys played hard and fought through it.”
Central was 25-of-30 from the free throw line, including 9-of-10 in the final minute.
“Zak (Clark) has been really clutch for us and Miguel (Ley) made some big free throws as well,” Boschee said. “An important factor in the last few games for us has been getting to the free throw line.”
Central’s 7-7 league mark gives the Dutch their highest conference win total since they posted an 8-12 mark in a 20-game schedule in 2000-01. Central will be attempting to finish above .500 in league play for the first time since winning a share of the conference crown with an 11-5 mark in 1994-95.
The Dutch play their final two regular-season games on the road. They travel to Decorah Wednesday to take on Luther College in a women’s-men’s doubleheader with the men’s game starting at 8 p.m. Central handed the Norse a 59-47 setback at Pella Jan. 17. Luther took a 5-17 overall record and 3-10 league mark into Saturday night’s game with Buena Vista.