News Release

DUBUQUE, Iowa — Loras College put the clamps on Central College Wednesday, securing a 57-47 Iowa Conference men’s basketball victory.

Central (6-18 overall, 3-12 conference) produced just 19 first-half points and trailed by eight at intermission. The Dutch were limited to 35.7-percent shooting, but were strong defensively as well as Loras (17-7 overall, 11-4 conference) hit only 37.5 percent.

Center Clint Driftmier had 14 points and eight rebounds to lead Central in both categories. Forward Keith Pedersen knocked down six of seven shots and added 12 points and six rebounds. Guard Brett De Hoogh had six points and five assists. Kyle White was the only Loras player to crack double figures, scoring 18.

Both teams protected the ball well, with Loras making just eight turnovers and Central committing seven.

A De Hoogh 3-pointer pulled Central to within 32-29 with 15 minutes, 59 seconds left, but Loras quickly went on a 9-2 run to put the Duhawks back in control.

Central wraps up the regular-season campaign with a home contest against Coe College Saturday at Kuyper Gym starting at 4 p.m. The Kohawks defeated Central at Cedar Rapids Jan. 8, 79-67.

Central, Cornell and Simpson are in a three-way tie for seventh place in the league standings and are battling for the final two Iowa Conference tournament berths. Should the three remain tied after Saturday’s action, league tiebreakers will have to be enforced. In head-to-head competition, Central was swept by Cornell but took a pair from Simpson while Simpson swept Cornell. Simpson plays host to Luther Saturday while Cornell travels to Loras.