Riordan scores 32, Storm hit big shots late to beat Nebraska Wesleyan

INDIANOLA, Iowa — Conor Riordan scored a career-high 32 points, Taylor Filbert and Kyle Wagner hit big shots down the stretch and the Simpson men's basketball team knocked off league-leading Nebraska Wesleyan 102-97 in overtime on Saturday.

Filbert forced the extra frame with his game-tying 3 with 13.7 seconds left in regulation and Wagner gave Simpson a four-point lead on a 3 with 23 seconds left in overtime, helping the Storm (10-9, 6-5 Iowa Conference) snap a three-game losing streak.

Riordan enjoyed the best game of his young career, adding six rebounds, six assists and just one turnover in 42 minutes. He went 12-for-23 from the field and 4-for-9 from beyond the arc.

Simpson trailed 84-81 when Riordan found Filbert open at the top of the key. The junior transfer knocked down his second trey of the game, then John Barbee forced a jump ball on the other end to give the Storm a chance to win in regulation with 3.6 seconds left. Ben Rajewki's desperation shot at the buzzer missed the mark.

Wagner gave Simpson a 95-94 lead on a layup with 1:08 left in overtime then provided the dagger with a deep 3 from the left wing with 23 seconds left. With Simpson up by 3, he pulled down a big rebound and knocked down a pair of free throws to all-but seal the win.

Wagner scored seven of the final nine points and contributed to a Simpson bench that outscored Nebraska Wesleyan's 30-12.

Ryan Garver scored 26 points on 7 of 10 shooting to lead the Prairie Wolves (17-3, 8-3), who lost for the first time this season when leading at halftime. Nebraska Wesleyan had won seven straight in the series.

After a slow first half, Sam Amsbaugh finished with 15 points and five rebounds to help Simpson overcome its largest deficit of the season, trailing by nine early in the second half. Simpson trailed 42-35 at halftime but mounted a 22-7 run early in the second half to take a 57-51 lead with 12:52 left.

Up Next
Wednesday, Jan. 31 at Luther

Key Players
Conor Riordan — 32 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 turnover
Sam Amsbaugh — 15 poitns, 5 rebounds, 4 assists
Kyle Wagner — 12 points, 2 rebounds
Taylor Filbert — 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals