INDIANOLA, Iowa - The Luther men's basketball team fell to Simpson 77-65 on Saturday. The Norse were down by four with 2:53 left in the contest before the Storm went on 8-0 run to win the game. The Norse had a balanced offense with four players recording double-digits including Daniel Webster, Ben Gill, Randall Days and Aidan Bailey. With the loss Luther is now 5-10 overall and 0-6 in the American Rivers Conference. 

Webster put the Norse on the board in the first possession of the game. After the score tied for the fourth time at 16 at 13:26 the Norse went on a 9-0 run. Simpson began to cut into the lead gradually as the first half continued. With 4:02 the Storm were within one possession but a jump shot from Andrew Lazinbat had Luther back up by four. Then the Storm went on a 10-2 run to close the half taking the lead into halftime 38-33. 

The Storm went ona 13-10 run out of the break through the first five minutes. A little later a three pointer from Days had the Norse within five 51-56. Then at 10:06 Simpson was able to extend their lead to double-digits for the first time in the game leading 64-53. Luther began to whittle down the Storm lead thanks to a 7-2 run. Simpson answered with a three for a 69-60 lead at 4:51. Gill put up three points followed by a layup from Tim Mewborn put the Norse within two possessions with 2:53 left. From there it was all Simpson as they proceeded on a 8-0 run to win the game.

Simpson is 7-8 overall and 1-5 in conference play. 

Luther narrowly won the boards 38-37. The Norse also had three steals and one block. 

TOP NORSE

• Webster led the team with 12 points along with seven rebounds. 
• Gill nearly had a double-double with 11 points and eight rebounds. 
• Days also chipped in 11 points. 
• Bailey had ten points. 

UP NEXT
Luther will stay on the road with a game at Loras College on Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in Dubuque, Iowa.