News Release

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa — Guard Zak Clark erupted for a season-high 27 points and center Clint Driftmier had his 10th double-double of the season as the Central College men’s basketball squad to an 85-81 Iowa Conference road victory at Cornell College Friday night.

Central shot a sizzling 60 percent from the floor (33-55). Driftmier had 18 points and a game-high 11 rebounds while forward Taylor Phipps contributed 16 points and nine boards, helping the Dutch snap a six-game losing skid. Guard Brett De Hoogh had nine points and eight assists. He has 102 assists for the year and needs just 16 to top the school season mark of 117 posted by guard Kevin Lowary in 1983-84.

Clark knocked down 9 of 14 shots, including four three-point goals in topping the 25-point night he had in the season opener with Viterbo (Wis.) Nov. 18. Driftmier was 8-of-11 from the floor.

Central (8-9 overall, 3-7 conference) trailed at intermission 38-36 but used a 12-2 run midway through the second half to fuel the victory, breaking away from a 49-49 tie to lead 61-51 with 11:22 left. Cornell (2-15 overall, 1-7 conference) whittled the margin to 78-75 at the 3 minute mark and to 84-81 with 6 seconds remaining but a free throw by guard Chris Nelson 2 seconds later sealed it. Nelson had six assists.

Cornell (2-15 overall, 1-7 conference) got 24 points from guard Michael Tierney and placed four players in double figures. However Central outboarded the Rams 37-25 and limited Cornell to 43.1-percent shooting.

Central is back on the road for the sixth time in its last eight games Saturday, heading to Dubuque to face Loras College in a 6 p.m. contest, part of a women’s-men’s doubleheader. The Duhawks escaped with a 91-87 decision in the teams’ previous meeting Jan. 14 at Pella. Loras is 13-4 overall and 6-2 in the league after tumbling at Coe College Friday night 78-71.

Both games Saturday can be heard on KRLS-FM (92.1) and www.kniakrls.com with Jamie Brockman.