Nebraska Wesleyan takes down Central in men's basketball

Karson Wehde led the team with 13 points off the bench

by Peter Leithauser

Pella, IA (02/20/2025) — After a back and forth first half, Nebraska Wesleyan University was able to pull away from the Central College men's basketball in the second half and won 63-54.

A three-point shot at the buzzer gave Nebraska Wesleyan a 31-28 lead going into halftime, even though the Dutch (13-11, 8-7 American Rivers) shot 42.3% from the field in the first half while holding the Prairie Wolves to 36.4% from the field.

In the second half, Nebraska Wesleyan (11-4, 18-6 American Rivers) held Central to 26 points on 37.9% shooting while scoring 32 points themselves.

"We were able to get clean looks from three-point range, but the shots weren't falling," coach Joe Steinkamp said. "We didn't play well enough to beat a team as good as Nebraska Wesleyan."

Karson Wehde (sophomore, Ankeny) came off the bench and led the team with 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting. In his first start of the season Will Henricksen (senior, Cedar Rapids, Marion HS) scored 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting. Owen Schipper (freshman, Waukee) also scored 12 points by making four three-point shots. Kaleb Brand (5th-year, Mount Vernon) led the team with four assists while adding five points.

"Schipper did a great job of spreading the floor and he continues to shoot the ball at a high level," Steinkamp said. "Wehde had a nice game; he was able to penetrate the zone which is important. Henricksen competed well and was able to make the defense pay."

The Prairie Wolves were able to hold Joshua Van Gorp (5th-year, Pella, Pella Christian HS) without a field goal and only allowing one point. He contributed nine rebounds, and one blocked shot.

"They were able to take away our inside game and made it hard for our guards to get the ball inside to Van Gorp, but we didn't give him enough chances in the paint," Steinkamp said.

As a team Central had six blocked shots with Taylor Birks (senior, Adel, Van Meter HS) collecting three in his first start of the season. He added four points, four rebounds and one assist.

"Birks gave us a spark when he was in the game," said Steinkamp. "He had some highlight blocks and finished well in the paint."

Nebraska Wesleyan was able to collect 15 offensive rebounds compared to eight for the Dutch. Despite these offensive rebounds Central held the opposition to only nine second chance points.

"That was the key to the game, [Nebraska Wesleyan] was able to get timely offensive rebounds, and it made us pay," Steinkamp said.

The Dutch will look to finish its regular season with a win on the road against Luther College Saturday at 4 p.m.

"We got a quick turnaround for another road test against Luther, and we need to regroup and get our team ready to gain momentum for the A-R-C tournament next week," said Steinkamp.

Joshua

Van Gorp