DUBUQUE – After witnessing Head Women’s Basketball Coach Brian Niemuth win his 500th game, the Storm men were trying to stay in the driver’s seat in the IIAC playoff hunt.

Loras and Simpson were both fighting for the final playoff spot in the IIAC Conference Tournament.

“We were in the driver’s seat today,” said Storm coach Charles Zanders. “We have some things to fix, but we still have the chance to give ourselves a chance to play in the tournament.”

Simpson didn’t have much to show in a 74-56 loss that included the Storm being outrebounded 45-24.

Simpson only shot 33 percent, while Loras was 53 percent from the floor. The Storm also struggled from the free throw line only shooting 59 percent.

Sophomore Austin Hennings lead the team in scoring throughout the game, scoring 12 of his 15 in the first half to help the Storm only trail by 12.

Hennings even hit a 3-pointer that converted into a four-point play which kept the Storm in check in the first half. As he went quiet in the second half, so did his fellow Storm. They were able to shoot 38 percent, but still couldn’t do anything to slow down the Duhawks.

Three of their bench players were in double digits, while Simpson had no one score over five outside of the starting five.

Charles Swain got some points late, but they didn’t mean much with the game being out of hand. Swain scored 10 straight points for Simpson in the final 2:30.

Simpson returns to Indianola for their regular season home finale against Dubuque on Wednesday at 8 p.m. Three seniors will be honored: Elijah Knox, Olu Rotibi and Ryan Stumbo.