STORM LAKE — What seemed like a game destined for double overtime turned into a loss for the Central College men's basketball team Saturday when Buena Vista connected on a 25-footer with 0.1 seconds to play in overtime, defeating the Dutch, 97-94.
The Dutch (12-5, 3-3 Iowa Conference) trailed Buena Vista (8-9, 3-3 conference) 94-91 in the first overtime period with five seconds to play when sophomore guard Kyle Smith (Ionia/New Hampton HS) drained a 3-pointer that looked like it would push the game into another five-minute period. But the Beavers' Nick Clark took the ensuing inbound pass, dribbled to a spot four feet behind the arc, pulled up and drained the game-winning three with just a tenth of a second to play.
"We couldn't guard it much better than we did without fouling," coach Craig Douma said. "Give the guy credit for making a big play."
The game may not have come down to the final second were it not for the Dutch falling behind early and having to claw back. Central trailed by as many as 14 in the first half, and the Beavers took an 11-point advantage into halftime.
"We have to start putting together two halves of basketball," Douma said. "We can't start the game that slow and expect to come back every time."
The Dutch made just 1-of-17 3-point attempts in the first half and 12-of-32 shots overall, a 38 percent clip. The second half was the polar opposite, with Central knocking down 55 percent (17-for-31) of shots from the floor and 53 percent (9-for-17) from behind the arc.
The Beavers outshot Central 49 percent to 45 percent over the 45 minutes, including a hefty 43 percent to 29 percent advantage from long range. The Dutch outrebounded Buena Vista 44-34, including 14-7 on the offensive end.
Central's bench kept them in the game, scoring 64 points, while the Beavers' subs were responsible for just 15.
Junior forward Austin Glawe (Aurelia/Sioux Central HS) played extended minutes off the bench for the second game in a row with junior forward Ryan Kunkel (Solon) out due to illness. Glawe made the most of his opportunity, recording his third career double-double on 24 points and 13 rebounds, both career highs. Glawe played a game-high 38 minutes.
"Austin left everything he had on the floor tonight," Douma said. "He did everything he could for us. Playing that many minutes as a five (post) is not easy and he showed a lot of character in the process."
Smith scored a career-high 25 off the bench on 8-of-13 shooting, including 5-of-8 from 3-point range. Sophomore guard Trashawn Boyd (Normal, Ill./University HS) added 12 points, four rebounds and two assists.
"Kyle and Trashawn stepped up tonight," Douma said. "They gave us some offensive energy in the second half and made some key plays down the stretch."
Central will look to end its two-game skid Wednesday when Simpson makes the trip to Pella for an 8 p.m. tilt in P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium. The Storm (11-6, 4-2 conference) have won two league games in a row after Saturday's 76-59 defeat of Luther. Live video and stats will be available at central.edu/athletics.
"We are going to be challenged again by Simpson," Douma said. "We have a tall task ahead of us."
Douma knows getting back home could be the advantage his team needs.
"We need the 'Kuyper Crazies' to come out in full force Wednesday," he said. "We're excited to come back home and need all the support we can get."
