News Release

PELLA, Iowa — Luther College was quick out of the blocks at the start of both halves and grabbed an Iowa Conference men’s basketball road victory at Central College Tuesday, 71-55.

The Norse, trailed 6-4 before reeling off 13 unanswered points. Their lead stretched to 23-10, before a 9-0 Central surge allowed the Dutch to climb within 31-25 at intermission.

But Luther broke it open with a 12-2 run to start the second half for a 45-28 advantage with 14 minutes, 11 seconds left. The Norse were up by 60-36 with 8:03 remaining. Central whittled the margin to 63-52 with 1:49 left, but never got it to single figures.

Center Clint Driftmier had his sixth double-double of the season, with 18 points and 10 boards for the Dutch. Guard Brett De Hoogh had 10 points and five assists. Luther was led by Erik Lowe’s 18 points.

Luther outrebounded Central, 29-25, and outshot the Dutch, 53.1 percent to 44.4 from the field. Luther forced 24 Central turnovers.

Luther is 7-14 overall and 5-7 in the league while Central tumbles to 5-17 overall and 3-11 in conference play.

Central doesn’t resume Iowa Conference play until next week, but the Dutch travel to Ankeny for a first-ever non-conference meeting with Faith Baptist Friday at 7:30 p.m.