DUBUQUE—It was a painfully familiar finish for the Central College men's basketball team as a potentially huge road victory slipped away in the final seconds at Loras College Saturday, 68-67.
           
Loras (13-1 overall, 4-1 American Rivers) scored on an inbounds lob with 3 seconds remaining for its only lead of the second half and its 11th consecutive victory. Central (9-5 overall, 3-2 conference) suffered its only other conference loss 85-83 in overtime on a similar play against Coe College Dec. 9.
           
Center Joshua Van Gorp (senior, Pella, Pella Christian HS) posted his eighth double-double of the season and 15th of his career with 18 points and 16 rebounds. Guard Will Henricksen (junior, Cedar Rapids, Marion HS) scored 17, hitting three 3-point buckets. Guard Drew Edwards (5th-year, Eden Prairie, Minn.) had 10 points, six rebounds and five assists while forward Kole Tupa (senior, Center Point, Center Point-Urbana HS) recorded 10 rebounds with seven assists and two steals.
           
The Dutch had overcome a 25-15 deficit midway through the first half, using a 13-0 run to grab a 28-25 lead. Central was up at the half 34-30 and led by as much as 56-44 with 7:32 remaining. Misfiring on a shot that would have led the Dutch regain command with 18 seconds left, forward Nolan Brand (senior, Mount Vernon) blocked a Loras shot attempt with 3 seconds left. But that set up the winning Loras inbounds lob.
           
Central outshot Loras 45.8% to 39.7% from the floor and held a 43-30 rebounding advantage. But the Dutch committed 17 turnovers.
           
Central is home Wednesday for a women's-men's conference doubleheader with Nebraska Wesleyan University with the men's game starting at 7:30 p.m. at P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium. The Prairie Wolves are 12-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play after an 80-71 road victory at Wartburg College Saturday.