DECORAH, Iowa - The Luther men's basketball team climbed out of a 21-point hole in the second half pulling within two with 6:30 to go before falling to Central 80-68 on Wednesday. Three scorers recorded double digits including Daniel Webster, Jake Collis, and Aidan Bailey. With the loss Luther is 5-12 and 0-8 in the American Rivers Conference. 

Central overwhelmed Luther in the first half shooting 65.5 percent from the field, 37.5 from the arc and 40 at the line for a 43-24 lead heading into the break. 

In the second half the Dutch opened with a layup for a 21-point advantage. The Norse rally was just beginning as Bailey responded with a layup in the paint. Although the Central lead was 19 Luther kept grinding. With 13:28 Webster started a 9-0 run with his layup up and an-one from the line. It wouldn't be until 6:30 that the Norse made it a one possession game with a three from Will Bockenstedt down 64-62. However, Central didn't let Luther get any closer as they secured the 80-68 victory. 

Central is now 11-6 overall and 5-3 in the A-R-C. 

The Norse for the game were slightly better beyond the arc at 26.3 percent compared to Central at 23.5. The Luther bench chipped in 27. 

TOP NORSE

• Webster led the team in points and rebounds with 18 and six. He also tallied two assists. 
• Collis chipped in 12 points while Bailey had 10. 

UP NEXT
Luther travels to Nebraska Wesleyan on Saturday, Jan. 20, with tip off scheduled for 4 p.m. in Lincoln, Nebraska.