Storm take down Vikings in home opener

INDIANOLA, Iowa - The Simpson College men's basketball team defeated Bethany Lutheran by a score of 81-64 to defend home court in the team's opener on Wednesday evening.

The Storm's (2-1) strength was from its offense this season, but saw its best defensive performance of the season, limiting Bethany Lutheran to just 32.4 percent shooting from the field. The Vikings (2-1), the defending UMAC conference champions, had won each of its first two games by scoring over 95 points in each, but the Storm held them to their lowest offensive output since November 2021.

Andrew Gibb led the Storm with 18 points, also dishing out a career-best six assists. Caden Rehmeier continued his fine start to the season with his first career double-double, scoring 14 points and grabbing a career-high 11 rebounds. Andrew Curran poured in 14 points as well, while Easton Darling (12 points, six rebounds) and Jack Hutchinson (11 points) also produced solid outputs for the Storm.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Vikings made their first three shots, coming out hot, but the Storm responded with a 19-3 run to take a 22-10 lead before the halfway mark of the first half.
• The Storm led by as many as 18 in the first half, but the Vikings seized momentum going into halftime with a 10-1 run sparked by two transition threes.
• Simpson ripped the momentum right back out of halftime, opening up its largest lead of the game at 51-32.
• The Vikings attempted a couple late runs, but never got the game back to single digits as the Storm claimed the win to improve to 2-1.

TOP STORM PERFORMERS

• Andrew Gibb - 18 points, 6 assists, 8/8 FT
• Caden Rehmeier - 14 points, 11 rebounds
• Andrew Curran - 14 points, 3 rebounds
• Easton Darling - 12 points, 6 rebounds
• Jack Hutchinson - 11 points, 3 rebounds

NOTABLE

• The Storm claimed its first win against the Vikings since 2011, but the Vikings hold the narrow series lead, 3-2.
• Simpson has now won three straight home openers.
• Rehmeier recorded his first career double-double, while Gibb had a career-high six assists.
• Gibb, last year's NCAA Statistical Champion in free throw percentage, has made his first 22 free throws of the season.
• Simpson has scored at least 80 points in each of its first three games this season.

UP NEXT
The Storm will head to Wayne State on Friday evening for an exhibition game, before taking on Central on the road next Tuesday to open conference play.