Wartburg edges past Simpson in final regular season home game

INDIANOLA, Iowa - Despite Simpson setting the tone early, Wartburg overcame an early double-digit deficit to knock off the Storm 75-65 in the final regular season home game inside Cowles Fieldhouse.

Wartburg (14-11, 6-10 A-R-C) fell behind early, trailing Simpson (9-15, 6-9 A-R-C) by 10 in the first four minutes. The Knights responded by winning the battle on the boards (41-to-31) and second chance points (14-to-3) to power past Simpson in a key game for A-R-C tournament hope.

With the loss, Simpson drops to 6-9 in conference action with a final road test against third-ranked Coe on Saturday. The Storm will need a victory to keep their hopes alive for making the A-R-C Tournament. Simpson remains tied with Buena Vista for the fifth seed with Wartburg just behind but a game in hand at 6-10 and Central at 5-9. Buena Vista takes on two-ranked Loras and Central faces last place Luther in the final games of the year.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Storm began the game on fire on both ends of the floor, opening the first five minutes of action on a 10-0 run.
• Wartburg scored their first basket at the five minute mark and started chipping away at the Storm lead.
• The Knights claimed their first lead at the 7:35 mark, taking a 22-21 edge and using that momentum to carry a four-point lead into halftime at 38-34.
• Wartburg carried the momentum into the second half, stretching their lead to nine in the first three minutes.
• Simpson responded back by cutting the lead down to just two after a crucial 3-pointer and bucket from Henderson.
• The Storm and Knights continued to go back-and-forth with Simpson reclaiming the lead at 51-50 with 9:46 left on the clock.
• However, over the final ten minutes of action, Wartburg outscored Simpson by 11 and closed out the 75-65 win.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

Cam Henderson - 16 points, 6-11 FG, 2 rebounds
Calix Cahill - 11 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists
Bo Huston - 7 points, 4 steals, 2 rebounds

UP NEXT

Simpson travels to Coe for the final regular season game of the 2025-26 season on Saturday, Feb. 21 with tip-off scheduled for 4 p.m.