Second half slide costs Storm in loss to Waldorf

FOREST CITY, Iowa – The Simpson men's basketball team led 30-27 at the half but was outscored 48-37 in the second frame as the nationally-ranked Waldorf Warriors (5-1) knocked off the Storm (4-3) 75-67 on Wednesday night.

The No. 15 team in NAIA, Waldorf reversed its second half fortunes from a night earlier when it trailed Division I North Dakota by four at the break before losing by 20.

A Michael Morgan layup capped off a 15-4 run for Waldorf to start the second half, prompting a Simpson timeout at the 15:13 mark with Waldorf up 42-34.

Waldorf never looked back, leading the rest of the way and by as many as 13 with 11:19 to go in the game.

Back-to-back 3-pointers by Jamie Montgomery and Ryan Skaar, followed by a string of free throws brought Simpson within 62-58 with just 3:36 remaining. The Warriors responded by scoring on four of their next five possessions, closing out the game at the free throw line.

Simpson shot 50 percent in the first half, 13 of 26, but cooled off to shoot only 34.4 percent in the second frame.

Sam Amsbaugh and Dillon Gretzky stayed hot all game for Simpson though, with both scoring 16 points to lead the way for the Storm. Skaar chipped in with 10, going 2 of 4 from 3.

Waldorf had four players in double-figures, led by June Prowell who went 10 of 11 from the free throw line to finish with a game-high 22 points. As a team, Waldorf shot 57.1 percent (16 of 28) in the second half while out-rebounding Simpson 20-10 in that time.

Up next: Simpson will take on their second Division I opponent of the season in an exhibition contest against Nebraska-Omaha on Dec. 16 in Omaha. They'll get back to regular season play on Dec. 19 at Saint Mary's (Minn.)