Wagner paces offense in loss at No. 1 Prairie Wolves

LINCOLN, Neb. -- In its fourth game in seven days, the Simpson men's basketball team fell 102-71 to No. 1 Nebraska Wesleyan on Wednesday.

The Storm (13-9, 7-7 American Rivers) got behind early and were in an 8-0 deficit when Kyle Wagner drained a 3-pointer to stop the slump. The Prairie Wolves (21-1, 12-1 A-R-C) kept the pressure on throughout the first half and took a 20-point lead into the intermission.

In the second half, Simpson tallied its first eight of nine baskets from behind the arc with a layup and three free throws sprinkled in there.

The defending national champions were able to stretch the lead to 37 points with two minutes left.

Simpson shot 42.9 percent from the field and made 13 3-pointers during the game. The Storm won the points off turnover battle 15-12 and both teams were equal in fastbreak points with 11.

Kyle Wagner led the team with 20 points. Taylor Filbert drained five treys and finished with 17 points. Adam Reiter ended with 10 points and nine boards.

For the Prairie Wolves, Ryan Garver finished with 24 points and 10 assists. Cooper Cook and Clay Reimers both scored in double figures as well.

GAME NOTES

The 13 3-pointers the Storm made increased the season total to 226, only six away from tying the school record of 232 that was set in 2015-16. With Wagner's four triples, he has now made one in 24 straight contests.

UP NEXT

After a week off from the hardwood, Simpson hosts Central on Wednesday, Feb. 13 for an 8 p.m. showdown.