INDIANOLA, Iowa – The Luther men's basketball team defeated Simpson 86-79. The Norse shot 48.4 percent for the game for their best percentage in a conference game this season. Luther improves to 7-13 overall and 2-9 in the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C).
The first half saw six lead changes and eight times the score was tied. With 3:21 remaining before halftime the Norse went on a 12-2 run taking a 44-39 advantage into the break.
In the second half, Luther didn't give up the lead once an pushed the lead to as large as 13 points off the layup by
Owen Poloronis with 11:54 to go (63-50). Later, the Storm were able to cut the lead down to five with 14 seconds left (84-79) but the Norse claimed the victory.
Leading scorers for the Norse were
Charlie Wunderlich with 22 points,
Andre Palavra (19) and
Henry Kreckman (12).
Owen Bockenstedt led the team in rebounds with seven.
Luther splits the season series with the Storm. Simpson drops to 8-11 overall and 5-5 in conference. The Storm was led by Cam Henderson with 26 points.
Luther hosts Coe on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m. for Aloha Night.
