Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Jalen Wynter shoots for Iowa Central on Wednesday inside Hodges Fieldhouse. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

The Iowa Central faithful got their first glimpse at the Ryan Kirsch era on Wednesday night.

Kirsch, who has taken over the Triton men’s basketball program, coached his first game inside Hodges Fieldhouse. Iowa Central (3-2 overall) didn’t disappoint, as they reached the century mark in besting Central-Columbus by a final of 105-79 on Dennis Pilcher Court.

“We wanted to come out and showcase a team that Fort Dodge can be proud of,” Kirsch said. “We have a scrappy, blue-collar team that can move the basketball inside and out.”

The last time Iowa Central scored 100 points was a 111-81 victory on the road against Sisseton Wahpeton during the 2021-2022 campaign.

Iowa Central’s last 100-point game inside Hodges Fieldhouse was in 2018 in a 101-63 triumph over the Grand View JV.

Five Tritons reached double figures on Wednesday as they were decisive in every aspect of the game. Iowa Central shot 53 percent from the floor (42-for-78), out-rebounded the Raiders 45-30, and won the turnover battle, committing only 15 and forcing 18. Iowa Central was also 12 of 14 from the charity stripe.

“We shot the ball well. We came in at about 40 percent from the floor, so it was good to see us (improve that total),” Kirsch said. “We won the rebounding battle and the turnover margin.

“We are nowhere near where we want to be, though. We just have to keep grinding.”

Jordan Cain led the Tritons with 23 points on an efficient 9 of 12 shooting. Former Ames High star Jalen Wynter added 14 points, hitting four triples — including three on consecutive possessions in the first half.

Lane Campbell had 12 for Iowa Central.

Aleix Sempere Serrano came off the bench to record a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Fellow reserve Vice Grbic tallied 12.

Twelve Triton players reached the scoring column.

“We have a lot of guys that can put the ball in the basket,” Kirsch said. “We will find consistency if guys buy into their roles. We can go big or play smaller if we need to, depending on the matchup.

“I’m happy with the depth that we have.”

Kirsch, a long-time assistant in his first head coach position, stood across the court from friend Tyler Francis — the head coach at Central-Columbus.

Both Kirsch and Francis were assistant coaches at Kirkwood in Cedar Rapids. Kirsch’s most recent stop was as an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2023-24.

“Coach Francis is one of my best friends, so it was nice to be out there against him,” Kirsch said.

“One of his best players was out, so that was tough.”

Iowa Central is back in action on Friday when they host the Mount Mercy JV squad. Tip is set for 6 p.m. inside Hodges Fieldhouse.

IOWA CENTRAL 105, CENTRAL-COLUMBUS 79

Iowa Central — Jordan Cain 3-5 0-0 23, Jalen Wynter 5-9 0-0 14, Aleix Sempere Serrano 5-8 4-5 14, Lane Campbell 4-7 2-2 12, Vice Grbic 6-9 0-0 12, CJ Mitchell 4-4 0-0 8, Iraki Akhalaia 3-8 0-0 7, Terrius Walker 3-5 0-0 6, Cooper Randall 1-2 0-0 3, Bryce Welch 1-1 0-0 2, Daviyon Gaston 0-7 2-2 2, Marko Blagojevic 1-4 0-0 2, Riley Edwards 0-2 0-0 0. Totals: 42-78 12-14 105.

Central-Columbus — Kazadi Mukoma Jr. 5-8 4-6 17, Ronan Parker 7-12 0-0 15, Malual Kong 3-10 7-10 14, Kamron Kasischke 3-7 2-2 10, Ethan Wiley 3-10 0-0 7, Kei’Marion Smith 2-2- 2-2 6, Merkv Torrance 1-3 0-0 4, Maal Jal 2-7 0-0 4. Totals: 26-62 19-26 79.

Halftime score: Iowa Central led 52-36. Three-point goals: Iowa Central 9-22 (Campbell 2-3, Wynter 4-8, Akhalaia 1-3, Cain 1-2, Randall 1-2); Central-Columbus: 8-24 (Kasischke 2-5, Mukoma Jr. 3-4, Parker 1-3, Kong 1-4, Wiley 1-4); Rebounds: Iowa Central 45, Central-Columbus 30; Turnovers: Iowa Central 15, Central-Columbus 18; Total fouls: Iowa Central 18, Central-Columbus 14.