A second-half rally and tough defense kept the Central College men's basketball team in the game for an 81-79 overtime victory against Knox College (Ill.) Thursday.

Down 38-29 at the half, the Dutch took a six-point lead with a minute and a half left in regulation. Two missed bonus free throws and unanswered Knox (1-1) points pushed the game into overtime action.

Central persisted in extra play, shooting 62.5 percent from the floor to Knox's 33 percent, outscoring the Prairie Fire 13-11 and capturing its first win of the season.
            "Our will to win was impressive," coach Mike Boschee said. "We still played a little up and down but it got better in the second half. We defended well down the stretch and the players showed good character, discipline and team unity."

Junior Jack Bruns led the Dutch with career-highs of 24 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 73 percent from the floor.

Forward James Chapline (sr., Ogden) chipped in 14 points and seven boards while sophomore Jacob Winkler (forward, Lancaster, Mo., Schuyler R-1 HS) provided a spark off the bench with a career-high 11 points, hitting 5 of 6 field goals.

The Dutch (1-1) return to action Saturday against Martin Luther (Minn.) at 3 p.m. in P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium. The Knights (0-1) lost their season opener, 60-53, to Waldorf College Wednesday.