Nick Clark scored 20 points, while Robby Burke and Thomas Wisecup added 12 and 11, respectively, but it was the strong three-point shooting of Luther that made a difference on Saturday night, as the Norse handed the Beavers an 84-70 home loss.

The Norse, who are the most efficient three-point shooting team in the league showed little rust during this match-up, as they made 12-of-31 attempts, compared to just 5-of-23 by BVU.  Another big factor came at the free-throw line, as the Beavers stuggled by making only 7-of-18 overall with Luther sinking 16-of-18.

Buena Vista led by as many as five in the early going before an 11-1 spurt by Luther late in the first half sent the Norse from down five to up five at 29-25.  BVU kept the game close and trailed by just a point at 32-31 going into the break.

A bucket by Burke 5:00 into the second half put BVU in front at 45-43 but a 14-2 run by the Norse that included three treys put Luther up 57-47 midway through.  The Beavers couldn't push together enough of a rally, getting no closer than seven, as the Norse led by as many as 15 down the stretch.

The loss moves BVU to 8-13 overall (3-7 IIAC) and the team now sits a game behind Luther for the sixth and final spot into the Iowa Conference Tournament with four regular season games to be played.  The Beavers look to finish strong down the stretch, and that starts with a pivotal road game at Central College on Wednesday night in Pella.  BVU edged the Dutch, 97-94, earlier this season on Clark's buzzer-beating three.