Riordan goes for 39, Storm beat Central 96-85

INDIANOLA, Iowa -- Conor Riordan came in to Wednesday's game against Central playing his best basketball of the season. Then it got even better.

Riordan scored 39 points on 14-for-17 shooting, Sam Amsbaugh finished three assists shy of a triple-double and the Simpson men's basketball team beat Central 96-85 in Iowa Conference action on Wednesday.

Taylor Filbert added 14 points and Kyle Wagner chipped in with 13 off the bench for the Storm (12-10, 8-6), who shot a season-high 60.3 percent from the field, including 72.4 percent in the second half. Amsbaugh had 12 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.

Simpson never trailed and led by double figures in all but 23 seconds of the second half. A 15-4 run early in the first half proved to be the difference as Simpson got ahead and stayed ahead.

The Storm led 14-11 when Wagner's layup sparked a 9-0 run. Riordan made a short jumper then hit a runner before nailing a 3 to make it 23-11. Two Amsbaugh free throws gave Simpson a 29-15 advantage with 6:29 to play in the first half.

Central got within six late in the first half but Simpson opened the second on a 9-2 run and led by no less than nine the remainder of the game.

The game marked the 200th meeting in a rivalry that is about as close as it gets. With the win, Simpson improved to 102-98 against the Dutch in a series that started in 1906-07.

Kyle Smith scored 34 points on 6-for-12 shooting from beyond the arc to lead the Dutch (9-13, 6-7), who had won the last two against Simpson.

Up Next
Simpson is off Saturday and returns to action next Wednesday, Feb. 14 at Loras.

Key Players
Conor Riordan -- 39 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Taylor Filbert -- 14 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal
Sam Amsbaugh -- 12 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 block
Kyle Wagner -- 13 points, 2 rebounds