MBB Preview: Storm go to Dubuque looking for first conference win

The Simpson Storm men's basketball team looks for its first Iowa Conference win of the season when it travels to the Key City to face the Dubuque Spartans on Wednesday, Dec. 6

THIS WEEK

Wednesday, Dec. 6 — Simpson (2-5, 0-2 IIAC) at Dubuque (5-2, 0-2 IIAC)
Dubuque, Iowa | Stoltz Sports Center | 8 p.m.
Live Video (dbq.edu/athletics) 

OPENING TIP

• The Storm are coming off a pair of tough Iowa Conference losses last week, falling to Buena Vista 91-90 on Wednesday, Nov. 29 and at Nebraska Wesleyan 94-85 on Saturday, Dec. 2. Conor Riordan scored a career-high 28 points in the loss to Buena Vista and Tyler Stumbo poured in a career-high 33 in the loss to Nebraska Wesleyan.
• After becoming the 20th player in school history to reach 1,000 career points earlier this season, senior forward Sam Amsbaugh continues to move up the charts. He goes into Wednesday's game with 1,138 career points, seven points out of 11th. He is just 19 points out of 10th place.
• Amsbaugh has scored in double figures in 12 straight games dating back to last season. His 20.4 ppg are second in the IIAC. 
• Despite averaging 82.5 points and shooting 50 percent from the field in two conference games, Simpson is in search of its first league win thanks to opponents shooting 54 percent and averaging 92.5 points, both last in the league. 
• After losing four starters to graduation last year, Brad Bjorkgren's squad is still gelling. Of the Storm's nine-man rotation, six either weren't on the team last season or didn't see time in a varsity game. Four of the Storm's primary contributors are trasnfers: Taylor Filbert (North Arkansas College), Kyle Wagner (Morningside), Tyler Stumbo (Dordt) and Aaron Hauser (Marshalltown CC). 

SERIES NOTES

Dubuque
Overall: Dubuque leads 82-67
Streak: Won 1
Last meeting: Won 79-69 at SIM, 2/8/17; Lost 80-65 at DBQ, 1/11/17
First meeting: Won 32-21, 1919-20

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

Dubuque — After a 5-0 start, the Spartans have lost two straight IIAC games, falling to Wartburg 77-51 at home on Nov. 29 and at Central 96-89 on Dec. 2. Jamaree Atwater had a huge game in the loss to Central, scoring 36 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. His 19.4 ppg are third in the IIAC. TJ Lake is a threat from the outside, leading the IIAC with 25 3-pointers in seven games. Head coach Robbie Sieverding is in his 11th season at Dubuque.