Photo courtesy of Iowa Central Athletics: CJ Mitchell of Iowa Central drives on Saturday against DMACC inside Hodges Fieldhouse.

The Iowa Central men’s basketball team has been close so many times during their recent three-game losing streak.

Head coach Mason Denholm is still proud of his fifth-ranked (NJCAA, Div. II) Tritons, who were edged by No. 2 DMACC on Saturday at Hodges Fieldhouse by a final of 85-83.

“We don’t have any moral victories when we lose games,” Denholm reminded as a caveat, though. “While our group played hard and fought to the end, my expectation for our team was to win the game.”

Iowa Central (15-4 overall, 7-3 in the ICCAC) held a five-point lead with under four minutes remaining in regulation, but the Bears (18-1, 10-0) chipped away and eventually gained the upper hand for good in the final minute. DMACC rallied from not only that deficit, but a double-digit second-half hole.

“DMACC made more plays than we did, which led them to the win,” Denholm said. “Our group has to get back to work and back to what wins games, and there isn’t a team I’d rather have (doing so).”

Jordan Cain continued his recent hot streak for the Tritons, scoring 27 points on 10 of 14 shooting. Cain swished five triples.

Tashun Pender (15 points), Jalen Wynter (12) and CJ Mitchell (12) also reached double digits for Iowa Central,

Mitchell added eight assists and five steals. The Tritons, who started 15-1, have dropped consecutive nailbiters to third-rated Johnson County (91-89), NIACC (104-99 in overtime) and this decision.

“I know what this team is capable of accomplishing, and I’m looking forward to what the future holds,” Denholm said.

The Bears out-rebounded Iowa Central, 35-27, and made 53 percent of their field goals. The visitors also held an 18-6 advantage in free throws made and were whistled for half as many fouls.

Kiki Deng paced DMACC with 26 points. Solomon Mosley added 18 off the bench.

The Tritons return to action on Wednesday at Western Iowa Tech in Sioux City. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m.

DMACC 85, IOWA CENTRAL 83

DMACC — Kiki Deng 7-13 9-10 26, Brent Taylor 3-5 2-2 9, Kaden Tate 3-5 2-5 8, Landen Norris 0-1 0-0 0, Solomon Mosley 8-12 2-2 18, Kavon Phillips 2-4 3-3 8, Rylan Smith 2-6 0-1 6, Shelton Colwell Jr. 1-2 0-0 3, Malcolm Bragg 1-2 0-0 2. Totals: 29-55 18-23 85.

Iowa Central — Jordan Cain 10-14 2-3 27, Jalen Wynter 4-9 0-0 12, CJ Mitchell 5-15 0-0 12, Aleix Sempere 2-6 1-2 5, Manny Lueth 2-7 0-0 4, Tashun Pender 7-9 1-3 15, Jon Roberts 3-6 2-2 8, Dorian Pruitt 0-3 0-0 0. Totals: 33-69 6-10 83.

Halftime score: Tied at 44. Three-point goals: DMACC 9-20 (Deng 3-6, Smith 2-4, Gawron 1-3, Taylor 1-2, Phillips 1-3, Colwell Jr. 1-1, Bragg 0-1); Iowa Central 11-27 (Cain 5-7, Wynter 4-7, Mitchell 2-6, Lueth 0-3, Pruitt 0-3, Roberts 0-1). Rebounds: DMACC 35, Iowa Central 27. Assists: Iowa Central 13, DMACC 10. Fouls: Iowa Central 18, DMACC 9. Turnovers: DMACC 17, Iowa Central 7.