News Release

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Minus three starters from the team’s pre-Christmas lineup, the Central College men’s basketball squad was subdued at Coe College Saturday, 79-67.

Center Clint Driftmier and forward Keith Pedersen both sat out with injuries. Forward John Carlson was declared academically ineligible for spring semester.

However forward Scott Huisman, who missed time with an injury earlier in the year, was back in full stride, sinking 8-of-9 shots to score a game-high 23 points with six rebounds, two blocks and a steal. Guard Chris Nelson had 14 points and four assists and guard Zak Clark had eight points and four assists.

Coe placed four players in double figures and shot a sizzling 68.2 percent in the second half to break away from a 31-30 halftime edge. Central shot 52.2 percent from the floor in the first half and led by as many as six points, but slipped to 48.1 percent for the game. Central outrebounded the Kohawks, 22-17.

Clark drained a 3-point basket to kick off the second half with a 33-31 lead, but Coe scored nine straight points for a 40-33 advantage and never trailed again.

Coe upped its record to 5-6 overall and 1-1 in the Iowa Conference. Central is 3-8 overall and 1-2 in the league.

“Offensively we were pretty efficient,” said coach Mike Boschee. “We did a better job of taking care of the basketball and got some good looks.

“But defensively, the second half was pretty disappointing. Coe shot the ball very well, but some of that had to do with the mental toughness we lacked on defense.”

Boschee said Driftmier, who played nine minutes Thursday at Luther, could have seen limited action again, but he didn’t want to allow him to risk further injury.

“He’s about 75 percent, but I don’t want it to be something that lingers the rest of the season,” Boschee said.

The second-year coach noted the Dutch are additionally limited because center Taylor Phipps suffered a broken foot before Christmas. He would likely see significant minutes in Driftmier’s absence, but is probably done for the season.

Boschee is hopeful that Driftmier and possibly Pedersen will be back for Central’s next outing, an Iowa Conference game Tuesday with the University of Dubuque at Pella. Game time is 8 p.m. at Kuyper Gym.