DUBUQUE—A four-game win streak was snapped but the Central College men's basketball team hung on to first place in a hotly contested American Rivers race Saturday after dropping a 67-61 decision at the preseason favorite University of Dubuque.
           
The Dutch (12-5 overall, 7-2 conference) were limited to 37.7% shooting. With the win, Dubuque (13-5 overall, 6-3 conference) moved into a second-place tie in the standings with Loras College and Nebraska Wesleyan University as the Prairie Wolves were upset on the road by Luther College, which notched its first league win 69-55 Saturday.
           
Avenging its 68-58 loss at Central Dec. 3, Dubuque jumped out to a 17-5 lead in the game's opening 7 minutes Saturday. The Dutch never led in the contest, trailing 36-28 at intermission. Down 39-28 early in the second half, Central drew as close as 44-40 with 14:06 left but no closer.
           
"They got out to an early lead and then it was kind of an even game the rest of the way," coach Joe Steinkamp said. "We cut into the lead but not enough. Early in the game they made some plays and got out in transition."
           
Center Joshua Van Gorp (junior, Pella, Pella Christian HS) had 19 points and eight rebounds for Central.
           
"Josh is so hard to guard," Steinkamp said. "He's got two guys on him for most of the night and he just finds a way to get the ball in the hoop. He's got such a soft touch around the rim."
           
Forward Kole Tupa (junior, Center Point, Center Point-Urbana HS) had 12 points on four 3-point baskets.
           
"It was good to see him have a good game," Steinkamp said.
           
Guard Kade Terrell (5th-year, Montrose, Colo.) scored 11 points and guard Jalen Wilmington (senior, Chicago, Ill., Crete Monee HS) added 10 in less than 7 minutes of action.
           
"Jalen gave us a spark off the bench," Steinkamp said "He's a good 3-point shooter and he kind of took what the defense gave him. He's a competitive kid and keeps working hard. It was good to see him hit some threes."
           
Less obvious in the box score was the performance of guard Nolan Brand (junior, Mount Vernon), who impressed with his defense while also grabbing six rebounds and making three steals.
           
"He's been great all year long," Steinkamp said. "We went on a run when he was in there tonight with his energy. He's just a really good all-around player."
           
Central held a 40-36 rebounding edge over the Spartans, who shot 46.4% from the floor.
           
"It was very similar to the first game, but in that first game we made a lot of late shot-clock plays and tonight they made a lot of late shot-clock plays," Steinkamp said.
           
Yet Central battled throughout, and that will continue, he said.
           
"One thing about this team is that they'll keep fighting," he said. "We'll keep growing and we'll keep learning different ways to do things. These guys are just so competitive and so fun to coach. They'll continue to get better."
           
Next Saturday Central is home to take on Coe College in a women's-men's conference doubleheader with the men's game tipping off at 4 p.m. Coe is 11-7 overall and 5-4 in conference play after an 87-76 victory at home against Simpson Saturday. The Kohawks are at Luther Wednesday evening before traveling to Central. The Dutch defeated Coe 68-65 at Cedar Rapids Dec. 10.