PELLA — The Central College men's basketball team squandered a 3-point halftime lead in a 93-86 loss to Nebraska Wesleyan Monday evening.

Central (9-8 overall, 3-5 Iowa Conference) held a 45-42 advantage over the Prairie Wolves but Nebraska Wesleyan (12-5 overall, 6-3 Iowa Conference) scored 51 second-half points to overtake the Dutch.

The Dutch were led offensively by senior forward Colby Taylor (Creston) with 22 points and eight rebounds, senior guard Pete Walker (Red Oak) had 19 points and four rebounds in his first game back from injury, junior guard Trashawn Boyd (Normal, Ill., University HS) added 15 points and five assists and junior forward Kyle Smith (Ionia, New Hampton HS) had 15 points and four rebounds.

"It was great to have Pete back on the floor tonight," said Coach Craig Douma. "I thought Trashawn played a great game and Colby played like himself tonight."

Central won the rebound battle 42-40 but were outshot 47.2 percent to 44.7 percent.

"The difference in the game was their non-shooters made 3s, while our shooters didn't make some open looks," said Douma. "We would have layups that we'd miss and they would come down and hit 3s or get the tough shot to fall."

Douma is ready to battle through this adversity with his guys after dropping three straight.

"The most important thing for us right now is to stick together," he said. "We have eight more conference games and we have to fight together the rest of the way."

Central continues league play Wednesday night with a women's-men's doubleheader at the University of Dubuque with the men beginning at 8 p.m. The Dutch defeated Dubuque (7-10 overall, 4-5 conference) 73-64 at home earlier this season. The Spartans took down Luther 71-65 Monday night.