ST. PETER, Minn. – Saturday’s game between Simpson and Gustavus Adolphus followed a similar script as the Augsburg matchup as an early lead dwindled and couldn’t be recovered in the Storm’s 71-62 loss on Saturday evening.

The Storm finished their two-day trip in Minnesota 0-2. 

Simpson led 23-22 with 5:31 remaining in the first half after a Jamie Montogmery three-pointer, one of five on the night, but that would be Simpson’s last lead.

The Gusties (1-1) finished the half on a 13-6 run, leading 34-27 at the break before going on to establish as large as a 20-point lead in the second half.

The Storm (1-2) took care of the ball, turning it over only nine times to 17 for Gustavus Adolphus, but missed shots and an inability to control the Gusties’ bench production proved to be the difference. 

Simpson shot only 34.9 percent on 22 of 63 from the floor while Gustavus Adolphus hit 25 of 54 shots for a 46.3 clip.

Three bench players scored at least nine points as the Gusties outscored the Storm 38-23 off the bench.

Montgomery was a spark off the bench for Simpson, scoring 15 on 5 of 6 from three-point land in 15 minutes of action. Dillon Gretzky matched his teammate with an all-around performance, notching a 15-point, 11 rebound double-double while dishing out four dimes. 

Gustavus Adolphus’ Gary Cooper also scored 15 while recording seven rebounds, four assists, one steal and two blocks. 

Get ready for a shootout 

If you like seeing the three-point shot, get ready for Simpson and Grinnell on Tuesday night at Cowles Fieldhouse.

The Storm, who won 104-101 in comeback fashion against the Pioneers last season, will likely have to score over 100 to win this time.

Grinnell has attempted 209 three-pointers this season (53 per game) to lead all of Division III.

The Pioneers will come into the game 2-1 after beating Colorado College on Sunday and falling to Iowa Conference foe, Wartburg on Nov. 17.