Early deficit too much to overcome for Storm

WINONA, Minnn. - Sam Elgin scored a game-high 27 points, Upper Iowa built a 23-point, second half lead and held on for a 78-71 win over Simpson on Saturday.

The Peacocks (2-1) led by 17 at halftime and increased the lead to 23 with 17 minutes left in the game before Simpson went on a 24-11 run to climb back into the game with 7:52 to go.

Upper Iowa rebuilt a 17-point lead before Zack Barragan sparked a late 15-3 run that cut the lead to 74-69 with less than 30 seconds left. Barragan scored 12 points in the run, but it was too litte, too late for Storm.

Barragan led Simpson with 21 points and tied a school record by going 11-for-11 from the free throw line. Elijah Knox tied a career-high with 19 points for the Storm (1-2).

The Storm started out cold, shooting only 25 percent from the field (6 of 24) in the first half.

Simpson returns to action next Saturday, Nov. 26 when it travels to Graceland. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.