Miguel Ley Jan. 19, 2008

Central stumbles at Dubuque, 77-64

DUBUQUE—Central College saw a one-point deficit mushroom down the stretch and suffered a 77-64 Iowa Conference men’s basketball defeat at the University of Dubuque Saturday.

Trailing 38-33 at halftime, Central was still within 45-44 with 14:22 remaining. But Dubuque (7-6 overall, 3-3 conference) was in control the rest of the way behind the scoring of guard Tyler Daugherty, who had 28 points. The Spartans stretched the lead to as many as 16 points in the final minute.

Central guard Miguel Ley (sophomore, San Antonio, Texas, Judson HS), who entered the game as the league’s second-leading scorer with a 17.8-point average, had 21, hitting 5-of-8 3-point attempts. Forward Keith Pedersen (senior, Jefferson, Jefferson-Scranton HS) had 10. Point guard Brett DeHoogh  (senior, Clive, Valley HS), back in the lineup after suffering an ankle injury in Wednesday’s win over Coe College, was Central’s leading rebounder for the second straight outing with five.

After shooting 54.2 percent in the first half, Central (9-5 overall, 2-5 conference) hit just 31.3 percent from the field in the second half to finish at 41.1 percent for the night. Central was outrebounded 41-33.

Zak Clark (senior, Fort Dodge, St. Edmond HS), who had four points, remained tied with Chris Nelson (2003-06) for the school career3-point goals lead with 150. Clark also needs just 21 points to become the 25th member of Central’s career 1,000-point club.

Central is back home Monday to take on Simpson College in a women’s-men’s doubleheader. The men’s game tips off at approximately 8 p.m. at P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium. Simpson has won four straight against Central, including three decisions last year as the teams met in the league tournament. Simpson is 5-10 overall and 2-4 in league play but stunned defending conference champion Loras College Saturday in Indianola, 69-67.