Storm men grind out 64-61 win at Luther

DECORAH, Iowa - Sam Amsbaugh scored 15 points, Austin Turner made the go-ahead layup with 3:37 left, and Luther missed two chances at a game-tying 3-pointer during the final possesion as the Simpson men's basketball team held on for a 64-61 win Wednesday.

Simpson missed two free throws in the final minute to give Luther a chance, but 3s by Leyton Bohr and Kevin Stafford went off the mark to give Simpson its first win in Decorah in nine tries.

Amsbaugh scored 10 of his 15 points in the second half, adding six rebounds. Dillon Gretzky had 14 points for the Storm (14-8, 7-4 Iowa Conference), who moved into sole possession of second place in the league standings thanks to Wartburg's win over Loras.

Nathan Meyer had 11 points for the Norse (5-17, 4-7), who went just 10-for-30 from the field in the second half after shooting 50 percent in the first.

Simpson fell behind by 12 early but clawed its way back with a 23-11 run to close the half. Turner, Leif Olson and Ryan Skaar knocked down 3-pointers during the charge. Olson's jumper with 32 seconds left pulled Simpson even at 35-all.

A pair of free throws by DJ Dafney gave Simpson an eight point lead with 8:46 to play, but Luther came all the way back, taking a 59-58 lead on a Markell Lucas layup with 3:48 left. Turner answered the very next possession when he beat his defender right for a 60-59 lead. Amsbaugh made a pair at the line to provide some breathing room.

Brook Thompson provided nine points off the bench, going 3-for-3 from beyond the arc.

Up next: Simpson hosts Coe on Saturday, Feb. 13 for Senior Day. The Kohawks (8-14, 3-8) lost to Dubuque 82-75 on Wednesday.