Iowa Conference leader Luther College played with precision in posting a 68-51 victory over the Central College men's basketball team Saturday.

The Norse (14-7 overall, 11-2 conference) strengthened their hold on first place, shooting an efficient 56.3 percent from the field, including 62.5 percent in the first half, and committed just 10 turnovers in the game. Central (11-10 overall, 7-6 conference) was up 11-10 with 12:17 left in the first half, but Luther quickly regained the lead and never trailed again in handing the Dutch their second straight home-court defeat.

"They played good basketball," coach Mike Boschee said. "They defended really well and on offense they always made the extra pass. They made a lot of plays late in the shot clock, which championship teams do."

Boschee said Central matched Luther's intensity, but not its execution.

"I thought we had a championship-type effort," he said. "We played hard. But offensively, we didn't play together. We weren't patient like you need to be against good defensive teams."

Central outrebounded Luther 28-25 but shot just 40.0 percent on its home floor and made 16 turnovers.

"Turnovers have been a problem for us all year long," Boschee said. "And we're not assisting very well. You put a lot of pressure on your defense when you're doing that."

Center Jack Bruns had 13 points and five reobounds while guard Demarco Turner had 10 points. Forward James Chapline had eight points and a team-high six rebounds.

Central closes its home-season schedule Wednesday with a women's-men's league doubleheader against Simpson College. The women's game starts at 6 p.m. at P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium with the men's game at 8 p.m. Simpson defeated the Dutch at Indianola Jan. 12, 82-72. Simpson dropped an 80-73 decision at home to Coe Saturday and is 9-12 overall with a 6-6 league mark.

A video webstream and live stats for both Central games will be available through the Dutch athletics website at www.central.edu/athletics.