Amsbaugh notches double-double, Storm knock off defending IIAC champs

INDIANOLA, Iowa — Sam Amsbaugh scored a game-high 25 points, Tyler Stumbo added 17 and the Simpson men's basketball team made enough free throws down the stretch -- including four on technical fouls -- to beat Loras 97-88 on Saturday at Cowles Fieldhouse.

Kyle Wagner scored a season-high 16 points off the bench and Conor Riordan added 15 for the Storm (7-6, 3-2 Iowa Conference), who extended their winning streak to four games while ending Loras' at five. Amsbaugh went 11-for-16 from the field and added six assists while tallying his fourth double-double of the season and 13th of his career.

Simpson led by as many as 12 in the second half but Loras came back and had a chance to tie, trailing 89-86 with 30 seconds left. Josh Ruggles missed the potential game-tying three and Ryan DiCanio secured secured the loose ball rebound, but called a timeout he didn't have. Taylor Filbert made both technical free throws with 23 seconds left.

Ruggles was whistled for a technical foul due to a delay of game with 3 seconds left, allowing Filbert two more from the charity stripe. John Barbee made three free throws with 1 second left to help Simpson move above the .500 mark for the first time since Nov. 18.

Ruggles scored 22 to lead the Duhawks (10-4, 3-2). He went 4-for-9 from beyond the arc and Loras went 18-for-41 as a team. The 3-ball helped Loras stay in the game, as the Duhawks shot just 40.7 percent compared to 55.9 for the Storm.

Simpson led 53-49 in the second half when a layup by Amsbaugh triggered a 10-2 run for a 63-51 lead with 11:12 left. The Storm held an 82-71 lead with 3:30 left when Ruggles got hot, scoring the final 14 points for the Duhawks. His three-point play pulled Loras within three with 40 seconds left.

The Storm went 24-for-31 at the line, including 8-for-9 in the final 30 seconds.

Key Players
Sam Amsbaugh — 25 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists
Tyler Stumbo — 17 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
Kyle Wagner — 16 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist
Conor Riordan — 15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists

Up next
Wednesday, Jan. 10 at Coe