For the 12th time in program history, the Central College men’s basketball team is heading to the NCAA Division III National Tournament.
The Dutch qualified after winning the American Rivers Conference tournament championship over Nebraska Wesleyan University, 68-57, on Saturday.
The squad was picked to go to St. Louis and take on No. 13-ranked Washington University of St. Louis Friday at 6:40 p.m. The other first-round matchup in St. Louis will be Denison University (Ohio) against Franklin College (Ind.). The two winners will advance to the second round.
Central won the American Rivers Conference tournament championship for the first time since the 2015-16 season. The Dutch (17-11, 9-7 American Rivers) earned their fourth conference tournament title.
“It was an unbelievable game, and I am so proud of our guys,” said coach Joe Steinkamp. “I am also proud that our seniors will get to experience the national tournament. It was always our goal to reach the national tournament, and we accomplished it. Even during our four-game losing streak late in the season, (Joshua) Van Gorp and (Kaleb) Brand led this team and they are the best leaders you can have.”
Van Gorp led the team with 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting. He added nine rebounds, two blocks and three steals.
“Van Gorp played a great game on the biggest stage on both ends of the floor,” Steinkamp said.
Sophomore Karson Wehde of Ankeny scored 13 points while also grabbing nine rebounds. He recently earned all-conference honorable mention.
Owen Schipper had 12 points and seven rebounds, while Grant Uecker added 13 points and five boards off the bench.
“All of these guys were great today,” Steinkamp said. “Schipper started hot and was able to make shots when we weren’t getting the ball inside. Wehde played great defense, and Uecker had one of his best games of the season.”
The game was tied at 37-37 at halftime, but Central then used a 16-0 run in the second half to pull away.
“Rebounding was a key in the second half. We were able to keep them off the glass and pay it off on the offensive side of the floor,” Steinkamp said. “I also want to credit assistant coach (and former Ankeny player) Conor Riordan; his game prep was great. We had all of their tendencies down, and it helped our defensive effort.”
Wehde ranks second in the conference in 3-point percentage at 41.9 percent. He averages 10.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.