WAVERLY,  Iowa - The Bethany women's basketball team competed in their first game at the Wartburg Tournament Thursday afternoon and fell to Simpson 78-61. With the loss the Vikings fall to 3-9 while the Storm move to 4-7. 

Atfter falling behind 9-2 to begin the game, Bethany rallied as they would connect on four three-pointers including two in the final minute to even things at 18 after one quarter of play. The Vikings would take the lead early in the second quarter after a Skylar Cotten three but a 13-0 run in the middle of the frame would give the Storm a 37-25 lead with 30 seconds left. As time was expiring Alexis Cloyd would hit a three-pointer to trim the deficit to single digits headed into the half. 

In the second half, Annika Younge gave the Vikings a spark by nabbing a few rebounds and blocking shots before scoring down low to cut the Storm lead to 39-35 with 5:38 left in the third. Bethany would get within two at 41-39 before Simpson scored seven of the last nine points to lead 48-41 headed into the final quarter of play. In the fourth quarter Simpson would score on five of their first seven possession to push their lead to 60-45 and they would hold off Bethany late for the win. 

Ashley Schindele led the Vikings with 12 points in the contest while Cotten and Cloyd each finished with 11. Turnovers proved to be a big factor in the game as Bethany committed 24 to just 14 from Simpson.

The Vikings will be back in action tomorrow as they take on Wartburg at 3 p.m.