PELLA, Iowa (Jan. 31, 2024) - Freshman Carter Sievers scored 23 points while seniors Gunner Reed and Zane Neubaum each followed with 12, but it was a 31-12 run by Central College over the final seven minutes of the first half that helped send the Dutch to a 104-89 victory over the Beavers on Wednesday night.

Sievers was 7-of-11 shooting from the field, including 3-of-5 from downtown to lift him to his second career 20-point game and within two of a career-high. Reed was 5-of-11 and made 2-of-3 from beyond the arc to go along with his six rebounds, two assists and two steals. Neubaum was 6-of-8 from the field. Freshman Keaton Flaherty came off the bench and made all three of his field goal attempts over 12 minutes and chipped in with 10 points. Kyle Sternberg led the Beavers off the bench with eight rebounds.

The Beavers shot 50 percent for the game overall and made 10-of-28 from downtown but the Dutch were on fire from long range, connecting on 16-for-36 (44.4 percent).

Central held a 30-25 advantage with just over seven minutes to go in the opening half before Grant Johnson made back-to-back three-point treys for the Dutch to spark the late first half surge during which they drilled seven long range shots overall and led 61-37 at the half.

BVU was never able to go on much of a run in the second half as the Dutch were able to answer and maintain that cushion throughout the half, leading by as many as 29 midway through the final period. The Beavers finished strong over the final five minutes to get back within 15 to end the game.

Kaleb Brand made 5-of-13 attempts from downtown to lead the Dutch (15-6, 9-3 A-R-C) with a game-high 29 points overall. Josh Van Gorp followed with 21 points and 10 boards. Central finished the game shooting nearly 55 percent from the field.

Buena Vista slips to 11-9 overall (4-7 A-R-C) and returns to Siebens Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 3, to host the University of Dubuque at 4 p.m.