Enormous Storm comeback falls just shy at Wartburg

WAVERLY, Iowa - Down by as many as 26 points, the Simpson College men's basketball team made a roaring charge in the second half, but ultimately came up just shy on the road at Wartburg.

Andrew Gibb scored a game-high 21 points for the Storm (4-5, 0-4 A-R-C), but the Knights (2-8, 2-2 A-R-C) collected the victory after a fierce Storm comeback attempt.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Knights began the game on a scorching 15-0 run in the opening four minutes before Gibb's 3-pointer put the Storm on the board.
• Wartburg kept the foot on the gas for the entire half, leading by as many as 26 points, but a vital Storm 9-0 run before halftime installed renewed belief.
• The positive momentum carried over into the second half as the Storm went on a 20-9 run over the first seven minutes to cut the Wartburg lead to just six points.
• After a Wartburg free throw made it 58-51, the Storm rattled off an 11-0 run to take its first lead of the game, with back-to-back triples from Jack Hutchinson and Caden Rehmeier capping off the run.
• Wartburg tightened up defensively and then went back in front, 68-64, after a quick 8-0 run.
• The Storm got layups from Gibb and Andrew Curran down five and three with under a minute to go and got the ball back down three with 15 seconds remaining after two Wartburg free throws, but Easton Darling's 3-pointer was off the mark as the Knights held on.

TOP STORM

• Andrew Gibb - 21 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
• Easton Darling - 18 points, 3 assists
• Jack Hutchinson - 12 points, 2 steals, 2 assists
• Andrew Curran - 10 points, 3 assists

NOTABLE

• Wartburg extended its lead in the all-time series 101-51.
• Andrew Gibb notched his fourth game of the season with at least 20 points.
• Both teams shot well from the field at over 47 percent, but the Storm were under 30 percent on 3-pointers and the Knights 45.8 percent.
• The Storm only turned the ball over eight times compared to 15 from the Knights, but it only led to three more points off turnovers.
• The Knights won the rebounding battle by a margin of 41-25, despite Simpson having more points in the paint (38-34).

UP NEXT
The Storm are off for over a week before traveling to Florida to take part in the Cruzin' Classic on Dec. 20 and 21.