Central men's basketball team battled to win over Luther

Van Gorp collected his 12th double-double of the season

by Peter Leithauser

Pella, IA (01/23/2025) — 28 points and seven assists from Kaleb Brand (5th-year Mount Vernon) lifted the Central College men's basketball team to a 76-73 win over Luther College.

Brand tied his career high while also collecting nine rebounds, one block and one steal.

"Brand was great on both ends of the floor," said coach Joe Steinkamp. "I thought he did an excellent job attacking the middle of the zone. He had a mix of scoring and playmaking for others, and he kept us going when the three-point shots weren't falling."

The Dutch took a 38-33 lead into halftime before a second half that had five ties and four lead changes. With under a minute left Brand had a floater to grab the lead, and Owen Schipper (freshman, Waukee) made four free throws to seal the win.

Schipper scored 10 points and added seven rebounds.

As a team Central (10-7, 5-3 American Rivers) shot 45.3% from the field and 30% from three. It also collected 18 assists, 13 offensive rebounds and 38 points in the paint. Karson Wehde (sophomore, Ankeny) led the team with six offensive rebounds.

Joshua Van Gorp (5th-year, Pella, Pella Christian HS) collected his 12th double-double of the season when he scored 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds.

Off the bench Will Henricksen (senior, Cedar Rapids, Marion) scored nine points on 3-of-5 from three. Grant Uecker (freshman, Urbandale) scored six points but collected three steals and five assists. Anthony Gott (freshman, Davenport, North Scott HS) scored four points while also blocking four shots.

"Henricksen gave us a nice lift off the bench," Steinkamp said. "He is a good scorer, and he did a great job of taking what the defense gave him. Gott gave us great minutes and made some big plays on the defensive side of the court while also finishing inside the paint. Uecker had a great all-around game, and his passing was huge for us."

On the defensive side the Dutch held Luther (1-15, 0-8 American Rivers) to 42.9% from the field and 36.7% from three.

The Dutch return to the court when they travel to Waverly and take on Wartburg College Saturday at 4 p.m.

Joshua

Van Gorp