Storm can't keep up with conference frontrunner Buena Vista

STORM LAKE, Iowa – Leif Olson scored 13 points but league-leading Buena Vista pulled away in the second half, beating the Simpson men's basketball team 102-75 on Saturday.

Kennedy Drey had 18 points and 14 rebounds to lead six players in double figures for the Beavers (17-6, 10-2 Iowa Conference). Brett Heitkamp added a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double off the bench.

Olson went 6-for-10 from the field, adding three assists. DJ Dafney had nine points and Ryan Skaar had four assists as the Storm (6-17, 1-11) watched their losing skid extend to 10 games.

Simpson's last win was a dramatic 65-62 triumph over Buena Vista on Jan. 10. Since then, the Beavers only loss has been a 66-64 setback at Luther.

The Storm never led Saturday, but kept up with the high-scoring Buena Vista attack in the first half thanks to a near-56 percent shooting clip. Simpson trailed by just 10, 53-43 at the break.

Simpson scored on its first two possessions of the second half, getting layups from Olson and Dillon Gretzky to pull within 53-47 at the 19:00 mark.

Four straight points by Adam Juhl extended Buena Vista's lead back to 10, triggering a 17-5 run that gave the Beavers a 70-52 lead with 12:25 to play. Seven-footer Nick Wuebker closed the run with a pair of buckets.

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Simpson hosts Coe on Wednesday, Feb. 18. The Kohawks (14-9, 8-4) beat Loras 71-66 on Saturday.