SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The Luther men's basketball comeback came up short in overtime as they fell to Southwestern University 77-75. Mikkel Schutte hit a buzzer beating shot tying the game at 67. Then in overtime the Pirates narrowly out scored the Norse 10-8 in overtime to get the win. With the loss Luther is now 4-8 overall ad 0-4 in the American Rivers Conference. 

Ben Gill put the Norse up early after a layup in the opening possession of the game. But the Pirates sailed out to an 11 point lead with 12:22 left in the first half. Then Luther went on a 13-7 run to pull back within four off the three-pointer from Randall Days at 6:00. As the half closed Southwestern pushed their lead back to 11 points for a 41-30 advantage at the break. 

Luther came out of the break and erased the Pirate lead on a 18-5 run to start the second half. A three from Luke Prendergast gave the Norse their first since the opening possession at 48-46. However, Southwestern grow their lead back to 11 points with 4:49 to go ahead 67-56. Luther closed the half strong with an 11-0 run. Schutte threw up the buzzer beating shot that tied the game at 67 forcing it to overtime. 

The Norse were the first to score in overtime after the steal by Daniel Webster who passed it to Schutte for the layup inside. The Pirates answered back with four points. Andrew Lazinbat tied it at 71 with his jumper with 2:52 left. Southwestern then went on a 6-4 run to win the game. 

TOP NORSE

• Webster led the Norse with 14 points and two steals.
• Aidan Bailey had 13 points and eight rebounds. 
• Schutte recorded a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds. He set a season high in rebounds. 

UP NEXT
Luther will close 2023 when they host Waldorf College at home on Saturday, Dec. 30. Tipoff is at 4 pm in Decorah, Iowa.