LINCOLN, NEB.— The Central College men's basketball team won its opening game of the Nebraska Wesleyan Snyder Classic defeating Concordia-Moorhead (Minn.) 78-66.
           
The Dutch (4-2, 1-0 American Rivers) took a 40-23 lead into halftime after shooting 57.1% from the field and 8-15 from three-point land.
           
"We defended really well especially in the first half," said coach Joe Steinkamp. "Our ball pressure led to 10 steals and that is how we got off to such a fast start."
           
Joshua Van Gorp (5th-year, Pella, Pella Christian) had another double-double scoring 30 points on 12-17 shooting along with grabbing 17 rebounds with five being offensive rebounds.
           
"Van Gorp was great," Steinkamp said. "He saw more single coverage today and did a great job of getting to his spots."
           
Will Henricksen (senior, Cedar Rapids, Marion) shot 4-5 from three-point land scored 14 points.
           
"Hendrickson really gave us a spark today with his scoring," said Steinkamp.
           
Bradley Curren (sophomore, Harlan) scored 12 points while also collecting one assist. Kaleb Brand (5th-year, Mount Vernon) scored eight points on 4-5 shooting while also dishing out 11 assists and collecting two steals.
           
Owen Schipper (freshman, Waukee) collected four assists as well as four steals.
           
Off the bench Kip Tupa (junior, Blair, Neb.) went 3-3 scoring nine points.
           
"I was very happy with how Tupa Played," said Steinkamp. "His defense and three-point shooting ignited our first half run."
           
As a team the Dutch shot 50.9% from the field, 43.5% from three and 82.4% from the free throw line.
           
The squad has a quick turnaround when it and faces Northwestern-St. Paul (Minn.) at 3 p.m. Saturday.