WAVERLY, Iowa – The Luther men's basketball team's late comeback fell short at Wartburg on Tuesday as the Norse were defeated by the Wartburg Knights 61-58. The Norse were led by Aidan Bailey with a season high 23 points. Luther is now 3-1 on the season and 0-1 in the American Rivers Conference.
 
During the first nine minutes neither team held a lead of more than five points. Midway through the half, the Knights put together a 13-5 run and held a 30-20 advantage at the 11:46 mark. The Norse battled back and pulled to within one (29-30) with three minutes to play, but the Knights took a 34-29 lead at the break.
 
In the second frame, Wartburg extended its lead to eight (46-38) at the midway point. The Norse responded with a 12-2 run and retook the lead 50-48 with just over eight minutes left to play. It proved to be the final lead for the Norse as the Knights finished the evening with a 13-8 run en route to the 61-58 victory.

The Norse shot 34.9 percent from the field that included an 8-of-38 performance from behind the three-point line. The Knights connected on 39.7 percent of their attempts that included a 10-of-31 performance from beyond the arch. Luther won the battle of the boards 44-34.

Aiden Bailey led all scorers with 23 points, two shy of his career high. Daniel Webster had 12 and Tim Mewborn tallied 11 off the bench.
 
TOP NORSE

• Bailey was two points shy of matching his career high of 25 points. 
• Daniel Webster had 12 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals.
• Tim Mewborn had 11 points.

UP NEXT
Luther hosts Crown College on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 3 p.m.