Wehde, strong second half lead Central men's basketball team to road win

Six players had multiple assists, adding to 24 as a team

by Peter Leithauser

Waverly, IA (01/27/2025) — A career high 21 points from Karson Wehde (sophomore, Ankeny) leads to a 77-63 road conference win from the Central College men's basketball team over Wartburg College.

Wehde shot 8-of-11 from the field including 5-of-6 from three-point range. He also added five rebounds, three assists and two steals.

"The story of the game was the two-way play from Wehde," said coach Joe Steinkamp. "He did a great job holding Wartburg's leading scorer to eight points, while also doing what he did offensively today, it was unbelievable. He shot it well and did a great job of attacking the rim."

After a back and forth first half where Central (11-7, 6-3 American Rivers) led 40-39 at halftime, the Dutch outscored Wartburg 37-24 in the second half.

"A key stretch of the game was late in the first half when we had players in foul trouble, but we went on a little run," Steinkamp said. "I loved the way we responded in the second half defensively. We didn't give up many pen shots and we rebounded well."

As a team Central shot 56.6% from the field and 47.8% from three. The squad also dished out 24 assists with six players having multiple assists.

Joshua Van Gorp (5th-year, Pella, Pella Christian HS) scored 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting while also adding seven rebounds, four assists, and one block. Kaleb Brand (5th-year, Mount Vernon) scored 10 points, on 5-of-5 shooting while also collecting six assists and three rebounds.

"Brand had a great all-around game. He took what the defense gave him, and he also defended really well," Steinkamp said.

Off the bench Grant Uecker (freshman, Urbandale) scored 10 points, while also having four assists and four rebounds. Anthony Gott (freshman, Davenport, North Scott HS) added four points and one block as well.

On the defensive side, Central held Wartburg to 41% from the field and 26.9% from three. In the second half the Knights were held to 35% from the field and 16% from three.

The Dutch return home Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. when they host Simpson College in the P.H. Kyuper Gymnasium.

Joshua

Van Gorp