News Release

PELLA, Iowa — Sophomore Brett De Hoogh’s 10-foot floating jumper with one second left gave Central College its sixth straight men’s basketball victory Saturday, an 87-85 decision over Simpson College.

Central (7-3 overall, 2-1 conference), which led 43-40 at intermission, built a 16-point second-half lead, only to have Simpson (6-6 overall, 2-1 conference) come charging back in the closing minutes. The Storm’s Adam Thorson drilled a huge 3-point goal with 8 seconds remaining to knot the score at 85-85.

But following a time-out, De Hoogh took the inbounds pass and raced down the floor, driving the lane and arching the gamewinner over the Simpson interior defender.

“Brett played a complete game,” coach Mike Boschee said. “He handled their pressure very well, he shot well from the perimeter and he played good defense.”

De Hoogh had seven assists and was among six Central players in double figures. Center Clint Driftmier had 18 points, nine rebounds and two blocks and guard Simeon Lang came off the bench to score 15 points with six boards. De Hoogh and guard Zak Clark, guard Chris Nelson, and forward Keith Pedersen each had 13 points. Clark had six assists.

Jason Parkinson topped the Simpson charts with a game-high 19 points. Ryan Hittenmiller had 16 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

Central was playing without starting forward Taylor Phipps who had to be out of town Saturday for personal reasons. Pederson filled his spot in the lineup but when he fouled out with 4:27 remaining, Boschee elected to go with four guards and Driftmier down the stretch.

“Missing Taylor certainly hurt us but the guys really battled right to the end,” Boschee said.

Simpson used its size advantage to secure a 47-39 rebounding edge, but Central outshot the Storm 49.2 percent to 42.3.

Boschee liked Central’s balanced scoring.

“One thing we pride ourselves on is playing together and sharing the basketball,” Boschee said. “We certainly showed that tonight.”

It was Central’s third straight victory over Simpson, the first three-game streak for the Dutch over the Storm since 1994-95.

“It was a very important game,” Boschee said. “Getting a couple of good wins on our home floor helps us start the year with the mindset that we’re in the race. Hopefully that will continue.”

The Dutch face an even more daunting task Tuesday at Waverly, facing preseason conference favorite Wartburg College at 8 p.m.