Justin Madsen Jan. 26, 2008

Long-range shooting carries Central past Wartburg

WAVERLY— Guard Zak Clark (senior, Fort Dodge, St. Edmond HS) knocked down five 3-point goals as the Central College men’s basketball team notched its first Iowa Conference road win with a 75-68 decision at Wartburg College Saturday.

Clark hit 5-of-8 from beyond the arc, upping his career record total to 161 while finishing with 17 points and three assists. It was Central’s fourth straight win over Wartburg and its second this season as the Dutch improved to 11-5 overall and 4-5 in the league.

Guard Miguel Ley (sophomore, San Antonio, Texas, Judson HS) had 15 points and four assists, guard Brett DeHoogh (senior, Clive, Valley HS) and forward Keith Pedersen (senior, Jefferson, Jefferson-Scranton HS) each scored 13. DeHoogh also had four assists and two steals. Center Zach Cooper (sophomore, Johnston) had eight rebounds and three blocks.

After taking a 36-30 halftime lead, Central scored the first nine points of the second half en route to a 50-33 lead with 15:34 to play. However Wartburg (6-12 overall, 3-6 conference) whittled the gap to 55-51 with 8:53 remaining. A Clark 3-pointer ended the Wartburg flurry and Central’s lead was never fewer than six the rest of the way.

Central hit 11-of-22 3-pointers and shot 46.4 percent from the field but was outrebuonded 38-33.

The Dutch are home Wednesday for a league women’s-men’s doubleheader with Cornell College. The men’s game starts at approximately 8 p.m. P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium. Central suffered a 61-56 loss to the Rams at Mount Vernon Jan. 5. Cornell is 6-11 overall and 4-4 in the league. Live stats will be available for Wednesday’s games on the Central athletics Web site at www.central.edu/athletics.