Storm beat Husson 88-82 behind 30 from Amsbaugh

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Sam Amsbaugh scored a season-high 30 points, Ben Rajewski made a pair of clutch free throws with 42 seconds left and the Simpson men's basketball team held on to beat Husson 88-82 Monday at the Cruzin' Classic.

Rajewski's two free throws gave the Storm (4-6) an 84-80 lead following a missed 3-pointer by Cole Thomas that would have given Husson its first lead. Thomas missed another 3 on the ensuing possession, Conor Riordan went 1-for-2 at the line and Simpson held on for the win in its second day in Florida.

Amsbaugh went 11-for-14 from the field and pulled down seven rebounds to go along with six assists for Simpson. Conor Riordan added 13 points and six boards and Tyler Stumbo chipped in with 11.

Simpson led from the opening tip and used an 11-2 run midway through the second half to build a 71-58 lead with 8:53 left. Stumbo triggered the run with a 3-point play and Kyle Wagner contributed four points as the Storm handed the Eagles (7-2) just their second loss.

The Storm won despite getting outrebounded 39-34, their first win of the season when getting beat on the boards.

All-American Raheem Anderson had 34 points to lead the Eagles, who were the unanimous pick to repeat as North Atlantic Conference Champions. Mitch Worcester added 16 points in Husson's first loss since Dec. 5.

Amsbaugh scored 25 points in the first half as the Storm built a 50-42 lead at intermission. Amsbaugh scored the Storm's first 13 points, outscoring the Eagles 13-7 by himself in the first 4 minutes, 20 seconds.

Simpson shot 62.1 percent from the field in the opening frame and finished the game shooting a season-high 55.8 percent.

Key Players
Sam Amsbaugh — 30 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists
Conor Riordan — 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists
Tyler Stumbo — 11 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist
Ben Rajewski — 10 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist

Up Next
Tuesday, Dec. 19 vs. Ave Maria