Storm tripped up in second half

INDIANOLA, Iowa – The Simpson College men's basketball team played a close first half but couldn't get its offense going in the final 20 minutes as the Storm fell 77-59 to Wartburg on Saturday afternoon.

The Storm (4-4, 1-2 A-R-C) captured an 8-4 lead in the opening minutes with baskets from four different players before Wartburg (9-1, 3-0 A-R-C) rattled off five unanswered to take its first lead of the game. The two teams went back-and-forth for the next 15 minutes before a dunk from Deontei Johnson and a layup from Chris Honz put the margin at two, 34-32, in favor of the Knights. Wartburg finished the half on a 7-2 run to lead by seven at the break.

After shooting 51.9 percent from the floor in the first half, Simpson struggled on offense in the second half as the Knights defense held the Storm to just eight makes in 36 tries. Trent Williamson opened the frame with a layup to pull Simpson within five, but Wartburg scored 14 of the next 17 points and continued to build on the lead the rest of the way as the Knights remain undefeated in conference action.

Simpson was balanced in its scoring effort with 13 players scoring a basket led by Honz and Williamson with eight points apiece. Johnson and Skyler Handlos each scored seven, and Andrew Curran and Caden Rehmeier both chipped in five.

Honz led the rebounding efforts with seven, while Williamson and Brock Jensen had four.

Up Next
The Storm welcome Cornell to Cowles Fieldhouse on Dec. 20 for a 7 p.m. nonconference tilt.