By: Dana Becker 

Messenger Sports Staff 

Over the next three-plus weeks, the Iowa Central men are going to see the best of the best from the ICCAC.

That started here on Saturday with an 83-72 setback to No. 11 Iowa Lakes inside Hodges Fieldhouse.

After falling in a 14-point hole at the half, the Tritons (4-13 overall, 1-7 in league) outscored the Lakers over the final 20 minutes, 44-41. Randy Latham had 21 points and Miles Fant added 18 with six rebounds to lead the way.

"Right now, this conference is at the top in terms of talent and depth," ICCC head coach Chad Helle said. "You really have to play nearly a perfect game to knock any of these top teams off. That is something we are still working towards doing."

Kai Evans had 30 points with nine rebounds, five assists and five steals to pace Iowa Lakes (14-4, 6-2) as Sam West added 12 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three steals and three blocks. West is the brother of former Triton standouts Britt and Isabell West.

The Lakers held a plus-12 edge in total rebounds and scored 31 points off 21 Iowa Central turnovers. They were also plus-16 in points in the paint.

"We've got to find ways to get consecutive stops on the defensive end first and foremost," Helle said. "It starts there. When you buy into things on defense you can make runs and gain momentum."

Riley Edwards added nine points with Mekhi Wilson chipping in eight for the Tritons.

Iowa Central's upcoming schedule includes two games with seventh-ranked Kirkwood along with dates vs. No. 6 Des Moines Area, ninth-ranked Ellsworth and a rematch with Iowa Lakes.

Up first, though, is a home game with Marshalltown on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.