The Iowa Central men closed out the Great Western Dining Classic with a heartbreaking 72-70 loss to Central-Columbus at Hodges Fieldhouse.

Derek Merwick of Central-Columbus scored the game-winning bucket with two seconds left on a contested shot.

The Tritons led 38-29 at the half, but the Raiders outscored them over the final 20 minutes of action, 43-32.

Kevin Taylor had 19 points with four 3-pointers and five rebounds, while Isaac Besh tallied 16 with four triples, three boards, three assists and two steals. Miles Fant added 12 points and Cole Tunender had five points, eight rebounds and four assists.

For Central-Columbus, Trey Deveaux had 16 and Blake Daberkow 11.

Next action for Iowa Central will be Tuesday when they head to Moline, Ill. to face Black Hawk College. The Tritons close out the month back here Saturday by hosting the Wartburg JV at 1 p.m.

CENTRAL-COLUMBUS 72, IOWA CENTRAL 70

Iowa Central — Isaac Besh 4-8 4-5 16, Jamari Magee 2-4 1-2 5, Kevin Taylor 4-15 7-7 19, Cole Tunender 2-5 1-1 5, Miles Fant 4-11 3-5 12, Kyler Matthias 1-3 0-0 2, Tyrhell Branch 0-4 0-2 0, Mekhi Wilson 2-2 1-1 6, Darius Henderson 1-3 0-0 2, Donovan Pointer 1-3 0-0 3. Totals: 21-58 17-23 70.

Central-Columbus — Derek Merwick 4-10 1-2 9, Josh Baker 2-6 1-2 6, Trey Deveaux 5-13 6-7 16, Jayden Byabato 3-9 4-4 10, Blake Daberkow 3-9 5-5 11, PJ Davis 2-5 2-2 7, Preston Thomas 1-2 0-0 3, Aidan Graham 4-7 0-0 10, Gil Jengmer 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 24-62 19-22 72.

Halftime score: Iowa Central led 38-29. Three-point goals: Iowa Central 11-25 (Besh, Taylor 4, Fant 1, Wilson 1, Pointer 1), Central-Columbus 5-25. Total rebounds: Iowa Central 35, Central-Columbus 42. Assists: Iowa Central 13, Central-Columbus 7. Steals: Iowa Central 6, Central-Columbus 5. Blocked shots: Iowa Central 3, Central-Columbus 1. Turnovers: Iowa Central 12, Central-Columbus 12. Personal fouls: Iowa Central 21, Central-Columbus 18.