News Release

PELLA, Iowa — Placing six players in double figures, the Central College men’s basketball team knocked off Buena Vista Wednesday for the first time since 1999, 79-61.

It was another step forward for coach Mike Boschee’s program, which snapped a 17-game losing streak against the Beavers. Central, 9-10 overall and 4-8 in Iowa Conference play, last prevailed in the series 72-68 Feb. 19, 1999 at Pella and BV was an 80-65 winner over the Dutch at Storm Lake Nov. 29 in this year’s league opener. Buena Vista fell to 7-12 overall and 5-5 in the league.

Center Clint Driftmier had 19 points and nine rebounds for the Dutch, who rallied from a 36-34 halftime deficit. Guard Brett De Hoogh added 12 points and seven assists, leaving him just three assists shy of Kevin Lowary’s 1983-84 school season record of 117. Forward Taylor Phipps had 12 points and four assists, guards Chris Nelson and Zak Clark each had 11 points with Nelson passing out six assists, and forward Keith Pedersen came off the bench to score 10 points with seven rebounds.

Brian Fogleman provided a powerful inside presence for Buena Vista with 19 points and six boards.

“I thought our big guys had a tremendous game, both offensively and defensively,” Boschee said. “Taylor Phipps really battled inside, and Clint (Driftmier) and Keith (Pedersen) did as well. I thought that made a big difference. It helped us keep our confidence and our confidence really showed down the stretch.”

Buena Vista took an early five-point lead in the second half and Central held just a 55-54 edge with 6:32 left but the Dutch went on a 24-5 binge over the next 5 minutes to break it open.

“We did a good job of getting the ball inside and that helped keep the floor spaced,” Boschee said. “Our posts made good decisions on some pass-outs and then we hit some big shots from outside.”

Central had dropped seven of the previous eight games after an early six-game win streak, but Boschee said his players have continued to scrap on every possession.

“Our practices have been really good,” he said. “Even though some of these road games didn’t go as well as we would have liked, the guys are still committed to trying to play at a high level every time out. As a coach, you’ve got to love that.”

Central will seek to build some late-season momentum Saturday, when the Dutch play host to Cornell College in a 4 p.m. game at Kuyper Gym. Central pulled out a 65-61 victory over the Rams at Mt. Vernon last Friday. The contest is part of a women’s-men’s doubleheader. It will be broadcast on KRLS-FM (92.1) and at www.kniakrls.com.