The Loras College men's basketball team kept pace with the league leaders in the Iowa Conference on Saturday with a 91-82 win over the Simpson College Storm.

Six players scored in double figures for Loras, led by Dan Pawelski's 17 off the bench (13 in the first half). Connor Mooney was close behind with 16, going 14-of-14 from the free throw line and handing out six assists, all without turning the ball over in 29 minutes of game time. Mike Gleason, Tim Kelly, and Jason Abbuhl each dropped in 11, and Jordan Harrelson went 5-of-5 from the field to reach ten points. Alex Brant added eight rebounds and Tim Kelly seven.

A slow start by the Duhawks saw the visitors jump out to a 15-4 lead. Loras scrapped their way back as Simpson continued to shoot the ball well, making 52% of their shots in the opening 20 minutes. The Duhawks took the 37-36 lead on a pair of Connor Mooney free throws with about three and a half minutes to go in the half and eventually went to the intermission tied at 43-43.

Loras took control of the scoreboard early in the second half, and after Harrelson put Loras up 48-47 with a short range shot Loras was able claim the lead for good. Loras turned it over just 15 times and won the rebounding battle to help them into the win column. They also made a season high 25 free throws, going 25-of-31 from the charity stripe (80.6%).

Loras upped their IIAC record to 7-3 and swept the season series from Simpson, keeping their third place spot in the standings after Cornell and Central each escaped with two point wins in their games on Saturday. Next up are the Kohawks on Wednesday, February 3 in the AWC. Tipoff is 8:00 PM.