Ruckebeil Records Double-Double - Norse Drop Close Decision to Storm
Feb. 9, 2008
Despite a double-double by Zac Ruckebeil, Luther lost a hard fought 65-60 decision to Simpson College here in the Regents Center.
Leading 41-27 at the intermission, Luther scored just 19 points in the second stanza, that included just five points in the final 10 minutes. During this same stretch, Simpson tallied 16 points and came-from-behind to secure just its third victory in the Iowa Conference.
Ruckebeil led all scorers with 23 points and was a monster on the boards collecting a game high 12 rebounds. Austin Bildstein also reached double figures with 10.
Matt Gilbert led a trio of double digit point producers for the Storm. Gilbert, who was 3-for-7 from behind the three-point line, was credited with 21 points. Brennen Tubaugh and Tim Dunlavy chipped in 16 and 13 points respectively. Reid Branderhorst, who scored just one point, collected 11 rebounds.
The loss dropped Luther's Iowa Conference record to 2-10, 6-15 overall. Simpson is also 6-15 overall, 3-9 in the IIAC.
The Norse will be on the road next week with games at Dubuque on Wednesday and Loras on Saturday.
