Nordquist leads Buena Vista past Simpson

STORM LAKE, Iowa – Wes Nordquist turned in a 28-point, 21-rebound effort and Buena Vista held off a late comeback in an 82-74 win over the Simpson men's basketball team in the Iowa Conference opener for both teams on Saturday.

Nordquist went 9-for-12 from the field and 10-for-12 from the free throw line for the Beavers (9-3, 1-0), who won their eighth game in a row and second in a row against Simpson dating back to last season.

AJ Arrington scored a career-high 18 points for the Storm (4-8, 0-1), who trailed by as many as 16 in the first half before getting within four in the final minute.

Buena Vista led for the entire second half and pulled ahead by 10 when Tyler Pleiss made a layup with 3:46 left. Knox hit 1 of 2 at the free throw line on the next possession to spark an 8-2 run and Arrington hit a jumper with 1:05 left to bring Simpson within 76-72.

But Pleiss beat the Simpson defense on the next possession for a fastbreak layup and Michael Kaufmann and Troy Ticknor went a combined 4-for-4 from the free throw line down the stretch to secure the win.

Austin Hennings had 13 points and seven rebounds and Charles Swain added 12 points. Elijah Knox tied a career-high with eight assists to go along with 11 points.

Simpson will go for its first conference win when it travels to Luther (8-4, 1-0) on Wednesday, Jan. 9. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m.