Storm go cold down the stretch, fall to Buena Vista

INDIANOLA, Iowa — Connor Winkleman scored 19 points and Thomas Wisecup provided a boost with 12 in the second half as league-leading Buena Vista handed the Simpson men's basketball team a 70-60 loss Wednesday night at Cowles Fieldhouse.

The Beavers (14-7, 10-2 Iowa Conference) closed the game on an 18-7 run, sweeping the season series and keeping its lead in the conference standings at two games.

Simpson trailed most of the game but fought back in the second half, taking a 53-52 lead on DJ Dafney's layup with 7:22 to play. David Jeffries converted a layup to put Buena Vista up for good on the ensuing possession and Wisecup hit a pair of 3s to stretch the lead to 60-55. 

A Winkleman layup made it 63-56 before a pair of Ryan Skaar free throws cut the lead to five again. Simpson couldn't get any closer, though, going without a field goal in the final 5:27.

Skaar scored 15 points to lead the Storm (13-8, 6-6 Iowa Conference), who shot just 26 percent from the field in the second half. He went 3-for-7 from 3-point range. Sabonis Smith added 11 points and reigning conference player of the week Sam Amsbaugh was held to seven amidst a concentrated defensive effort by Buena Vista.

Simpson is now in a three-way tie for fourth in the league standings with Dubuque and Wartburg.

UP NEXT
Simpson goes to Nebraska Wesleyan on Saturday, Feb. 4. The Prairie Wolves (14-6, 8-4) beat Central 101-80 on Wednesday.