Central College Dutch Winter Sports Update – January 3rd, 2024

Van Gorp’s 25 Points Not Enough as Central Goes Cold Late in Men’s Basketball Loss With the lead seemingly swaying in each possession, the Central College men’s basketball team couldn’t connect on its final four shots and Bethany Lutheran College (Minn.) snuck away with a bruising 77 73 non conference win Tuesday.

The Dutch (9 4) got 25 points and eight rebounds from center Joshua Van Gorp but had 17 turnovers and uncharacteristically held just a 43 42 advantage on the boards. Central entered the day leading the NCAA Division III with a plus 15 rebounding margin. There were 19 lead changes in the game, which the Dutch led at the half 34 32.

Central, still operating without injured forward Grant Johnson, got a boost off the bench from guard Will Henricksen, who had a career high 19 points. Guard Kaleb Brand added 17 points while forward Kole Tupa had 12 rebounds and seven assists. Guard Drew Edwards had seven assists and four steals. Henricksen’s bucket with 1:36 left gave Central its final lead, 71 70, but the team’s only additional points came on a pair of Henricksen free throws following a Bethany Lutheran technical foul with 35 seconds remaining.

Meanwhile Bethany Lutheran forward Mason Ackley went off for 31 points on 13 of 20 shooting. The Vikings (10 3) were 5 of 10 from 3 point range in the second half. Central returns to American Rivers Conference play Saturday against Loras College at Dubuque as part of a women’s men’s doubleheader.

The men’s game starts at 4 pm and can be heard live on 92.1 KRLS. Van Gorp Receives Conference Women’s Basketball Honor Central College’s Allison Van Gorp was named the American Rivers Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Week on Tuesday. Van Gorp was cited after posting three consecutive double doubles in Central’s most recent outings.

The Dutch recorded a pair of wins in the Music City Challenge in Tennessee December 19th 20th, defeating Roanoke College (Va.) 69 56 and Gallaudet University (D.C.) 83 50, before dropping a 79 70 decision to No. 13 ranked Millikin University (Ill.) Saturday in Pella. A 6 foot 3 center, Van Gorp had 10 points and 12 rebounds against Roanoke, 12 points and 10 boards against Gallaudet and 13 points with 11 rebounds against Millikin.

She connected on 78.9% (15 19) of her shots from the field in the three games while recording four assists, three blocks and two steals. It’s the second time Van Gorp has received the honor, previously being cited on January 23rd, 2023. The Central women are back in action Saturday against #25 Loras College in the front end of an American Rivers Conference doubleheader starting at 2 pm.

The games will be broadcast on 92.1 KRLS, beginning with pregame coverage at 1:45 pm..