PELLA—There was a crisp offensive display and a furious second-half comeback but in the end, a disheartening 88-82 Central College men's basketball home court loss to Nebraska Wesleyan University Wednesday.
           
All-American center Joshua Van Gorp (senior, Pella, Pella Christian) poured in another 33 points and Central (9-6 overall, 3-3 American Rivers) passed out a remarkable 28 assists on 32 baskets while shooting 49.2% for the night. But two of the squad's calling cards, dominant rebounding and intense defense were uncharacteristically lacking.
           
Central, which entered the game ranked second in the NCAA Division III in rebounding margin (plus 13.5 per game) was outrebounded by the Prairie Wolves 34-33. To be fair, there were few Nebraska Wesleyan missed shots to chase down. The Prairie Wolves (13-2 overall, 4-2 American Rivers) hit a scorching 57.6% from the field in the first half in rolling up a 47-38 lead at the break.
           
"They really shot it well," coach Joe Steinkamp said. "They just got into a great rhythm early on with some made threes. And (guard) Peter Lash is just a force. He played all 40 minutes and he made a lot of late shot-clock plays."
           
Lash countered Van Gorp's big night with 34 points and nine rebounds without a turnover.
           
The Dutch trailed by as much as 70-56 with just over 10 minutes remaining before making their move. Not coincidentally, that's when defensive stopper Nolan Brand (senior, Mount Vernon) was among those entering the game, helping fuel a 9-0 Dutch run. A 3-pointer by guard Kaleb Brand (senior, Mount Vernon) sliced it to 76-74 with 2:57 remaining, but Central missed multiple chances to take its first lead.
           
"We had a three in the corner that looked like it was all the way down," coach Joe Steinkamp said. "It's kind of like last game (a 68-67 loss at Loras College Saturday), we had a corner three that just rimmed out that would have put us up four. The top of our league is so good and every game comes down to one or two shots."
           
Steinkamp said Nolan Brand's stifling defense was crucial to the comeback.
           
"He definitely did the best job on (Lash)," he said. "He played with a great deal of intensity and energy and really got us back into the game by slowing him down for a while."
           
The other difference down the stretch was at the free throw line. Nebraska Wesleyan made all eight of its free throw tries in the final 1:13 and was 13-of-15 for the night. Central misfired on three of its last six and was eight-of-15 overall.
           
Yet Steinkamp found little to criticize.
           
"We played excellent offensively," he said. "We shot it as well as we have all year with the 10 threes, 28 assists and only 13 turnovers. We just didn't convert from the free throw line. I was disappointed, we haven't had a team score like that on us the last couple years. I was really disappointed to have an offensive effort like that go to waste."
           
Freshman guard Brad Curren (Harlan) had 18 points while guard Drew Edwards (5th-year, Eden Prairie, Minn.) had 10 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Forward Kole Tupa (senior, Center Point, Center Point-Urbana HS) had seven assists. Van Gorp was the top rebounder with nine to go with his second 30-point performance of the season.
           
"Josh, again, was just unbelievable, even against a guy that's actually taller than him," Steinkamp said. Van Gorp gave up an inch to 6-foot-11 Nebraska Wesleyan post Jack Groeteke. "He just did a great job of finding openings in there and our guys did a great job of getting him the ball. I mean, 28 assists. I don't know if we've ever had 28 assists and lost before."
           
A missing cog in the Central line-up, forward Grant Johnson (5th-year, Waukee, Van Meter HS) returned on a limited basis after a five-game absence and was the initiator of eight of those assists. He played 17 minutes. It's been an injury-plagued season for the versatile front-line performer.
           
"He's got to get his conditioning back but he did a great job," Steinkamp said. "He really helped our offense with his passing. He wasn't aggressive enough yet shooting the ball (zero shot attempts) but it's just going to take some time to get his rhythm back. It was great to see him back on the court."
           
Central is home again Saturday to take on the No. 24-ranked University of Dubuque, which suffered its first loss of the season at Coe College 63-59 Wednesday. The Spartans are 13-1 overall and 5-1 in the conference. Saturday's game is part of a women's-men's doubleheader with the men's game tipping at 4 p.mm. at P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium. The game will be broadcast by KRLS-FM (92.1) with Tyler Crabb calling the action. The broadcast can also be accessed via kniakrls.com. A video webcast and live stats can be accessed through the Central athletics website at athletics.central.edu.