PELLA—No. 11-rated Nebraska Wesleyan University put on a torrid shooting displaying in overwhelming Central College's injury-plagued men's basketball squad 115-69 Saturday.
           
Nebraska Wesleyan (15-2 overall, 8-0 American Rivers) hit a scorching 78.1% from the field in the first half and 71.2% for the game, including a sizzling 56.5% from 3-point range. Guard Nate Shimonitz hit 13 of 15 shots for 32 points.
           
"They played well and they shoot the basketball so well," coach Craig Douma said. "We had some freshmen get initiated tonight and our lack of depth and lack of size really showed because when they did miss, they got offensive boards. They didn't miss much, though. They shot the ball so well in the first half and it was just kind of demoralizing.
           
"But we've just got to play better. We've got to play better and expect more of ourselves."
           
Forward Caden Mauck (junior, Kansas City, Mo., Blue Springs South HS) had 15 points and five assists for Central (4-12 overall, 1-6 conference) while guard Adam Flinn (junior, St. Louis, Mo., Lafayette HS) had 14 points and five assists. Freshman guard Drake Johnson (Stanton) added 12 points.
           
Central shot 42.3% from the field and was outrebounded 34-19 as the Prairie Wolves missed just 19 shots.
           
Douma is looking for more from his squad down the stretch.
           
"We just want to see toughness from our team," Douma said. "We're trying to build things for down the road and there's still a lot of season left. We just have to keep working."
           
He challenged his players.
           
"We have to see how hard guys want to work. Who's going to get back in the gym? Don't just stay status quo. That's what we talked a lot about after the game. If you're just doing the status quo stuff, that's what average and below-average teams do. But who's going to work harder, who's going to put the extra time in? That's what great teams do."
           
Central is home again Wednesday against Buena Vista University in a women's-men's doubleheader with the men's game starting at 7:30 p.m. at P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium. Buena Vista was off Saturday and carries a 14-2 overall record and 5-2 league mark. The two teams split a pair of games last season.
           
A video webcast and live stats for the game can be accessed via athletics.central.edu. The game will also be broadcast through www.kniakrls.com with Jon Mohwinkle calling the action.