Simpson comes up short to UW-Eau Claire in title game

INDIANOLA, Iowa - Taking on undefeated Wisconsin-Eau Claire, the Simpson men's basketball team fell in the championship game, 87-68, of the Bruce Wilson Shootout on Saturday.

Levi Gurwell led the charge for the Storm (2-4), dropping 20 points along with five assists in just 21 minutes of action. Cam Henderson added 17 points with four rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Colton Rasmussen came off the bench for seven points and three rebounds.

Gurwell and Rasmussen were named to the Bruce Wilson Shootout all-tournament team. Gurwell finished the tournament averaging 19 points per game on 14-for-24 shooting and five 3-pointers. Rasmussen provided the Storm a key spark off the bench over the two days, averaging nine points and three rebounds, along with four 3-pointers.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Eau-Claire (6-0) jumped out to an early lead in the first minutes of the game, taking an 11-3 edge after an opening 3-pointer from Gurwell.
• Simpson began chipping away at the lead over the first half, cutting the score down from double-digits to just one after clutch back-to-back-to-back 3-pointers from Henderson, Gurwell, and Seth Gipple made it a 32-31 ballgame.
• The Blugolds responded back before the end of the half, opening up an eight lead heading into the locker rooms.
• Spencer Holley got the action started in the second half with an opening 3-pointer, with key baskets from Gurwell and Henderson forcing the lead down to just four.
• However, Eau-Claire managed to once again adjust to the Simpson attack, opening back up a double-digit lead, one they held until the finish. The Blugolds outscored Simpson 41-to-30 in the second half to secure the Bruce Wilson Shootout title..

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

Levi Gurwell - 20 points, 8-14 FG, 4 3-pointers
Cam Henderson - 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
Bo Huston - 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Colton Rasmussen - 7 points, 3 rebounds

UP NEXT

Simpson hits the road for a Tuesday matchup against UW-Whitewater on Nov. 25 with tip-off scheduled for 6:00 p.m.