News Release

DUBUQUE, Iowa — Loras College used a 55-point second half to break away from a 27-27 halftime tie for an 82-75 Iowa Conference victory over the Central College men’s basketball team Saturday.

Forward Luke Slater’s 30 points and 12 rebounds fueled the Loras attack, but the Duhawks had to withstand a late Central charge.

Central center Clint Driftmier recorded his 11th double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 rebounds while guard Chris Nelson had 17 points. Guards Brett De Hoogh and Simeon Lang each had 11 points. Guard Zak Clark passed out six assists and De Hoogh had five. De Hoogh has 107 assists for the year, 10 shy of Kevin Lowary’s 1983-84 school season record.

Loras built a 62-49 lead with 7:44 left and was still up 68-59 with 4:38 remaining. Central climbed to within 74-69 with 47 seconds remaining but Loras then sank eight straight free throws to preserve the win.

“I thought we played at a high level for about 35 minutes,” coach Mike Boschee said. “We had one little stretch in the second half when I didn’t think we were competing at the level I thought we should and that was the difference in the game. Loras has some great inside players and we just couldn’t stop them.

“But I love the attitude of the guys on this team. They didn’t quit.”

Central, playing its sixth road game in its last eight outings, is home Wednesday to take on Buena Vista in a women’s-men’s doubleheader. Game time is 8 p.m. at P.H. Kuyper Gym. The Beavers outscored Central at Storm Lake 80-65 in the league season opener Nov. 29. They’re 5-4 in the league and 7-11 overall after breezing past Cornell at home Saturday 81-59.