Gipple scores 17 as Simpson's comeback falls short in A-R-C opener

INDIANOLA, Iowa - Trailing by 16 in the second half, Simpson nearly erased the deficit but ultimately came up short falling to Loras 85-81 in the A-R-C opener on Saturday.

Seth Gipple and Bo Huston came off the bench to power the Storm (2-6, 0-1 A-R-C) offense, combining for 32 points and eight 3-pointers. Levi Gurwell and Cam Henderson added 14 and 12 points respectively with Gurwell rounding out with five rebounds, and six assists.

As a team, Simpson went 29-for-62 (46.8 percent) from the field, along with 12-for-30 (40 percent) beyond the arc and 11-for-13 (84.6 percent) at the line. Simpson outrebounded Loras 34-to-33, while finishing with 16 assists, five steals, and five blocks.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Baskets from Henderson, Isaac Averill, and Marcus Haupert lifted Simpson to an early 11-2 lead in the opening possessions.
• Loras did not manage to take their first lead since 2-0 until the 10-minute mark in the first half, using a Nolan Berendes 3-pointer to take a 22-20 edge.
• Both sides went back-and-forth for the remainder of the first half with Loras holding a slight 48-43 lead at halftime.
• The Duhawks continued to build on their lead in the second half, stretching it to 16-points with just 10 minutes left on the clock.
• Back-to-back 3-pointers from Gipple and Gurwell jumpstarted the Storm's offense as Simpson began chipping away at the deficit down the stretch.
• Over the next eight minutes of action, a 16-point lead had dwindled to just two with 2:28 left after a steal and score by Huston.
• However, Loras was awarded a key technical after the basket, offsetting Huston's free throw after the bucket. On the following Storm possession, Gipple connected on his sixth 3-pointer to cut the lead to just one with 1:50 on the clock.
• Despite a clutch basket by Haupert, and three free throws in the final minute, Loras was able to ice the game at the free throw line by going 6-for-7 to secure the win.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

Seth Gipple - 17 points, 5-8 3-pointers, 21 minutes
Levi Gurwell - 14 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists
Cam Henderson - 12 points, 4-8 field goals
Bo Huston - 15 points, 3-6 3-pointers, 3 rebounds

UP NEXT

Simpson continues the homestand, hosting Buena Vista next Saturday, Dec. 13 for a 4:00 p.m. tip-off.