Curran scores 43 points to lift Storm in overtime thriller

INDIANOLA, Iowa -- Sophomore Andrew Curran knocked down a last-second shot at the end of regulation and in the second overtime to provide Simpson College with a 102-100 victory against Loras while scoring a career-high 43 points on Saturday.

The Storm (3-5, 3-3 A-R-C) outlasted the Duhawks (6-4, 3-3 A-R-C) to snap a five-game losing streak in the series. Simpson's offense stumbled from deep with only five makes, but connected on 25 free throws to stay in the game.

With 30 seconds left in the final overtime, the Storm had a three-point gap that disappeared after Loras' Rowan McGowen sunk a  3-pointer to knot the game at 100-100 with 15 seconds left. Curran was able to step by his defender and took a shot at the elbow that rattled around the rim to fall in for the game winner.

Before the on-court celebration, Curran played the hero at the end of regulation with the help of a defensive rebound from junior Chris Honz. Curran took the ball and scampered down the court to lay the ball off the glass to send the game into overtime at 83-83.

During the first extra period, Loras and Simpson combined to score 12 points and neither squad hit a shot from deep. In the second overtime, Curran tallied eight of the team's 13 points in the frame and went 4-for-4 from the charity stripe.

In the first half, sophomore Collin Lister provided a spark for the offense with 11 points, while Honz added eight points from the post. The Duhawks had a one-point advantage at the break at 40-39.

The shots started to fall from deep in the second half for Simpson with Curran connecting on three triples. He ended with 28 points during the 20 minutes of work to help the Storm knot the game.

Honz collected his third double-double of the season with 20 points and 14 boards and Lister added 18. Senior Alec Hinson tallied 11 points off the bench.

Before the game, Simpson honored its three seniors: Sam Schlegel, Kade Tatkenhorst and Hinson.

Up Next
The Storm return to Cowles Fieldhouse for a game on Monday against Wartburg. The American Rivers Conference clash is set for 5:30 p.m.