News Release

PELLA, Iowa — In his first game in two years, forward Scott Huisman scored Central College’s final seven points, including a 3-point bucket with 17 seconds remaining, to lift the Dutch to a 78-75 overtime men’s basketball victory over Simpson College Tuesday.

It was the Iowa Conference opener for both squads.

Central (2-1 overall, 1-0 conference) trailed 72-70 when Huisman hit a layup with 1:51 remaining and another at the 1:04 mark for a 74-72 lead. Following a free throw by Simpson’s Jason Soppe, Huisman’s 3 made it 77-73. Soppe’s layup with nine seconds left pulled Simpson (1-3 overall, 0-1 conference) to within 77-75, but Huisman hit one of two free throws three seconds later and a 3-point try by the Storm’s Ryan Hittenmiller failed at the buzzer.

Guard Chris Nelson also making his first appearance of the season, hit a career-high 27 points, as did Simpson forward Jason Parkinson. Nelson was 10-of-13 from the field, including 6-of-7 3-pointers.

Huisman had 23 points and seven rebounds. The Iowa Conference’s top scorer and rebounder in 2002-03, Huisman did not compete last season and missed this year’s first two games.

Center Clint Driftmier had 12 points and seven boards and guard Brett De Hoogh had a game-high seven assists.

Simpson also got 15 points and 12 rebounds from Soppe while Hittenmiller had 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Central shot 52.7 percent from the floor to Simpson’s 39.7 percent, but the Storm held a 46-34 rebounding advantage.

It was an uphill struggle for the young Dutch, who trailed 36-29 at intermission and were down by as many as 11 points. Central didn’t take its first lead until 1:23 remained. Even with three freshmen on the floor, coach Mike Boschee said his Central club’s poise was instrumental in the comeback.

“It was their composure,” he said. “They handled the stress of a big game and didn’t seem to get rattled. But more than anything, I thought we were outstanding defensively down the stretch.”

With Central clinging to a 74-73 lead with less than 30 seconds remaining, Boschee elected to not call a timeout and Huisman followed with his crucial 3.

“I wanted to trust the guys and the decisions they make,” he said. “They didn’t disappoint.”

Central returns to non-conference action Friday when Waldorf College visits for a 7:30 p.m. game at Kuyper Gym.