STORM LAKE—Only a former Miami Dolphins defensive end has ever done what center Joshua Van Gorp (senior, Pella) did Wednesday while wearing a Central College men's basketball uniform.
           
Van Gorp pulled down a career-high 22 rebounds, the second-most in school history, and scored 19 points as the Dutch held off Buena Vista University 83-76, handing the Beavers (5-1 overall, 0-1 American Rivers) their first loss.
           
Vern Den Herder, who turned 75 Tuesday, set Central's single-game rebounding record with 29 in 1970 before embarking on a 13-year NFL career. Van Gorp's previous high was 15 against Waldorf Nov. 10, 2021. He recorded his fourth double-double of the season and 11th of his career.
           
"Josh was unbelievable," coach Joe Steinkamp said. "They played a sagging zone the whole game and really tried to put bodies on him, so he didn't get it as easily as some games, but he found different ways to score."
           
Central (6-1 overall, 2-0 conference) also got a career-high 20 points from forward Kole Tupa (senior, Center Point, Center Point-Urbana HS), 17 from guard Kaleb Brand (senior, Mount Vernon) and 10 from forward Grant Johnson (5th-year, Waukee, Van Meter HS), who also dished out seven assists.
           
After trailing 13-8 early in the game, the Dutch outscored Buena Vista 36-12 to bolt to a 44-25 advantage and were up 47-29 at halftime.
           
"We were just clicking on all cylinders," Steinkamp said. "We were scoring in the half court, we were scoring in transition. It was probably our best half of basketball of the year."
           
But in the first 12 minutes of the second half, Buena Vista came roaring back, outscoring the Dutch 33-14 to pull ahead 62-61.
           
"They were cold in the first half but in the first part of the second half, they really started cooking," Steinkamp said. "They got us in transition at times and we went cold for a little bit."
           
But as the Dutch have done so often, they came through in the clutch. Central pulled ahead to stay, 71-69, on a pair of Brand free throws with 6:20 remainng.
           
"We really showed our poise and toughness down the stretch," Steinkamp said. "We got enough stops and got some big baskets."
           
That's what the Dutch will need to do throughout the conference season, he said.
           
"It's an experienced bunch," Steinkamp said. "All of our games last year were kind of like that. It doesn't matter who you play or where you play, it's going to be a close game with 10 minutes to go. Our guys are so calm and so poised in those situations because they've been there and I thought that really showed tonight."
           
Tupa was effective in transition, Steinkamp said, and Brand provided a second-half lift.
           
"Kole was excellent all night long on both ends of the floor," he said. "Kaleb Brand got in foul trouble in the first half but hit a big three for us in the second half but just continues to grow and find new ways to score."
           
Steinkamp also cited the leadership of point guard Drew Edwards (5th-year, Eden Prairie, Minn.), who had nine points, four assists and two steals.
           
"I thought Drew had an excellent floor game," he said. "Four assists, zero turnovers and tough defense down the stretch. He just continues to be a rock-solid leader for us."

Central outshot Buena Vista 50.0% to 39.4 and held a 41-35 rebounding advantage.
           
Central travels to Waverly Saturday for a conference women's-men's doubleheader with Wartburg College. The men's game tips off at 6 p.m. Wartburg is 1-6 overall and 1-1 in conference play after tumbling 100-89 against Loras College at Dubuque Wednesday.
           
Saturday's games will be broadcast on KRLS-FM (92.1) with Tyler Crabb and can also be heard via kniakrls.com or through the KNIA-KRLS mobile app.