Riordan scores 27, Storm knock off No. 21 Wartburg 86-81

INDIANOLA, Iowa — Conor Riordan scored 27 points, John Barbee provided a big spark off the bench and the Simpson men's basketball team beat No. 21 Wartburg 86-81 on Saturday at Cowles Fieldhouse, extending its winning streak to six games.

Sam Amsbaugh added 12 points before fouling out and Barbee finished with 12 and four steals for the Storm (9-6, 5-2 Iowa Conference), who have won four straight in conference play after an 0-2 start.

Simpson trailed by four when Riordan nailed a 3 with 12:23 to play, sparking a 12-0 run. Barbee made the go-ahead jumper and converted after his own steal during the spurt, and Riordan closed it with his fourth trey of the game to give the Storm a 68-60 lead with 8:23 left.

Riordan led Simpson's barrage of 3-pointers, going 4-for-9 from long range after going without a 3 in the previous five games. The Storm went 12-for-28 as a team and started the game by making 6 of 7.

Jaran Sabus had 23 points and five rebounds and Nate Woeste finished with 17 points for the Knights (11-4, 4-2), who have lost 2 of 3.

Simpson made clutch plays down the stretch, answering Wartburg's final push with 2 minutes left. 

Wartburg pulled within three after a pair of Sawyer Herman free throws with 2:15 left. On the ensuing possession, Barbee split a pair of defenders and found Ben Rajewski open in the right corner for his third triple of the game. Reserve post Adam Reiter blocked Woeste's layup on the other end and Simpson was able to milk the clock to the one-minute mark.

Reiter logged 14 minutes after Amsbaugh fouled out with 2:45 to play. He finished with three points and four rebounds and was a key part of Simpson's bench, which outscored Wartburg's 26-13.

Key Players
Conor Riordan — 27 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists
Sam Amsbaugh — 12 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists
John Barbee — 12 points, 4 steals
Ben Rajewski — 11 points, 2 assists

Up Next
Wednesday, Jan. 17 at Central

Game Notes
• Simpson's 12 3-pointers are the most since the team also made 12 against Ave Maria on Dec. 19
• The Storm's six-game winning streak is the program's longest since the 2002-03 season.
• Riordan's 27 points were one off his career-high set in the IIAC opener against Buena Vista
• Amsbaugh finished with three rebounds and is now two shy of 500 for his career.