Amsbaugh nets 29 as Storm beat Presentation

LAS VEGAS — Sam Amsbaugh scored 29 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 8:15 to play, and the Simpson men's basketball team beat Presentation 81-70 to start the Las Vegas Hoopla on Tuesday.

Ryan Skaar scored 14 points and DJ Dafney added 12 and six rebounds for the Storm (8-2), who won their fourth-straight game for the first time since the 2011-12 season. Simpson's defense recorded nine steals -- three each from Dafney and Cody Good -- and scored 18 points off 15 turnovers.

With the game tied at 57, Amsbaugh knocked down a 3 to spark a 10-0 run. He followed up his 3 with an and-one and Dafney added a tip-in and a jumper to give the Storm a 67-57 lead.

Amsbaugh added 10 rebounds and five assists for his sixth double-double of the season. He went 13-for-23 from the field and 2-for-6 from beyond the arc, helping the Storm outscore Presentation 48-20 in the paint. 

Elijah Valdez scored 16 points off the bench to lead the Saints (5-7), who fell to 0-2 all-time against Simpson. NAIA Division II's third-leading scorer, Donnell Minton was held to 10 points on 5-for-18 shooting. 

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Simpson closes the Las Vegas Hoopla on Wednesday when it plays NAIA Division II Northwestern Ohio. The No. 25 Racers (11-3) won their fourth-straight with a 66-57 win over Central Christian on Tuesday. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. CST.