Barragan vaults Simpson men into IIAC Tournament

INDIANOLA - Zack Barragan made the most of his second chance.

After nearly losing the ball in the closing seconds, Barragan got another opportunity and lifted Simpson to a 76-75 win over Cornell in the regular season finale on Saturday afternoon.

Trailing 75-74 with 19 seconds left, Barragan got the ball but had it knocked away with four seconds left. He got the call again, hitting a runner from the right side as time expired to guarantee Simpson a spot in the Iowa Conference Tournament.

Barragan scored 15 points, JJ Vanderheiden added 14 and Cornelius Mosby finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Storm (11-14, 8-8 Iowa Conference).

The win gives Simpson the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament, the program's first appearance since 2006-07 season. Simpson will host fifth-seeded Buena Vista on Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. in the first round.

Cornell led 55-48 with just over 11 minutes left in the game, but Simpson answered with a 12-4 run capped off by a Barragan 3 that resulted in a 60-59 lead with seven minutes left.

J. Ryan Lott scored a game-high 22 points for the Rams (8-17, 3-13).

Simpson swept Buena Vista during the regular season, taking a 97-85 win Wednesday, Feb. 16.