Storm fall to Bethel in first game in Wisconsin

WAUKESHA, Wis. -- Sam Amsbaugh had 21 points and 11 rebounds and Tyler Stumbo added 11 and six off the bench but the Simpson men's basketball team lost to Bethel 85-70 in the first round of the Carroll Pioneer Tip-Off Tournament hosted by Carroll University on Friday.

In its second-straight game against an NCAA Tournament qualifier from last season, Simpson couldn't pull off a second big win in a row against the defending Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament champs.

Granger Kingland scored a game-high 22 points and pulled down seven rebounds for the Royals (1-0). Jack jensen added 15 points and Tusler Bridgeport handed out six assists.

Taylor Filbert added 10 points and four rebounds and Amsbaugh went 9-for-20 from the field for the Storm (1-1), who beat defending St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion Westminster in the season-opener Wednesday.

Simpson will play Concordia (Wis.) on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Turning Points
The Storm took an early 15-9 lead on a 3-pointer by Riordan, but Riley Dearring responded with a 3 of his own to spark a 13-2 Bethel run. The Royals took a 22-17 lead on Jack Jensen's jumper and led the rest of the way.

Taylor Filbert's 3-pointer with 12:10 to play pulled Simpson within 49-46, its closest deficit of the half. Kingland responded with a 3-point play and Matt Ambriz made a pair of free throw sto make it 54-46 to take the juice out of Simpson's comeback. The Storm couldn't closer than six points the remainder of the game.

Key Players
Sam Amsbaugh -- 21 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks
Conor Riordan -- 15 points, 2 assists
Tyler Stumbo -- 11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 7-8 free throws
Taylor Filbert -- 10 points, 4 rebounds

Up Next
Simpson plays Concordia (Wis.) on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Falcons (0-1) lost to tournament-host Carroll 60-58 on a last-second 3-pointer on Friday.