Center Clint Driftmier led the Dutch offense with 17 points off six-of-eight shooting, but was limited to only 21 minutes on the floor. Driftmier and forward Sim Lang encountered early foul trouble and saw reduced playing time in the first half, but Central held a 21-20 advantage at the intermission.
“I was pleased with our situation at halftime,” said coach Mike Boschee. “The young guys stepped in and played well.”
Freshman guard Miguel Ley was the only other Dutch player in double-digits with 10 points and four rebounds, while forwards Jordan Leuschen and Keith Pedersen grabbed seven and eight rebounds, respectively.
Luther inched to within 47-46 with 3:50 left, but Central closed the game with a 12-1 run to improve to 4-3 in conference play and 7-8 overall. Drew Devine had 16 points for Luther.
The Central defense held Luther (5-11 overall, 3-4 conference) to 23.8 percent shooting in the first half and 31.9 percent on the game. Central (7-8 overall, 4-3 conference) shot 45.5 percent on the night. The Dutch held an edge on the boards, outrebounding Luther 37-32.
“We showed a lot of heart,” said Boschee. “Luther was a scrappy team and we were able to match their intensity.”
Central is home again Saturday, taking on Coe College in an Iowa Conference women’s-men’s twinbill with the men’s game starting at 4 p.m. at P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium. The Kohawks were 3-2 in conference play and 10-4 overall heading into tonight’s game.