WAVERLY, Iowa -- The Wartburg College men's basketball team (13-7 overall, 5-6 IIAC) fell to Simpson College (13-7, 6-5) on Saturday 86-80.

The Knights captured an 11-10 lead at the 15:33 mark in the first half, but that was the only time the Orange and Black would hold the advantage for the remainder of the game. Simpson was up by as many as 13 points and the period ended 49-42 in favor of the Storm. In the final 20 minutes of play, Wartburg outscored their opponent 38-37 and cut the deficit to just one point at both the 3:25 and :51 marks, but the Storm held on and to seal the six-point victory.

The win was the second victory Simpson had over the Knights this season.



Wartburg bested Simpson from the free throw line (.679 to .629), but the Storm shot a better percentage in both field goals (.519 to .475) and three-point shots (.421 to .263).

Sophomore Jaran Sabus (Urabandale) scored a career-high 27 points and recorded a career-high three three-pointers. Sabus was 7-10 from the field, 3-4 from behind the arc, and 10-11 from the free throw line. Junior Nate Woeste (Atkins) and senior Nick Webber (Peosta) each added 12 points.

Sophomore Josh Gehling (Dyersville) tallied a career-high ten rebounds. Sabus trailed him with six boards.

The Knights will kick-off their two-game road trip on Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Loras.