Comeback falls short in men's basketball loss

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Simpson men's basketball team nearly clawed back from a 16-point, second-half deficit, but ran out of time in an 80-74 loss to Augsburg on Friday evening.

Ryan Skaar scored 19 points, made 4 of 7 3-pointers and guard Dillon Gretzky pulled down nine rebounds for the Storm (1-1). Simpson trailed 47-31 early in the second half but got within 74-71 on a 3 by Sam Amsbaugh with 24 seconds left.

Amsbaugh scored 10 of his 13 points in the second half, including eight straight at one point.

Simpson was forced to foul after Amsbaugh's 3, though, and Ryan Gilmer went 6-for-6 from the line down the stretch to seal it.

Joe Zangel had a 16-point, 15-rebound double-double to lead the Augies (1-0). Collin Olmscheid added 17 points as five players reached double figures.

Simpson trailed by five at the half, but a layup by  Zangel sparked a 10-0 Augsburg run. Augsburg led 47-31 after a Ben Glover lay-in with 16:10 to play.

Up next – at Gustavus Adolphus, Saturday, Nov. 21, 1 p.m.