Amsbaugh's career day not enough in loss to Mt. Mercy

DUBUQUE, Iowa - Sam Amsbaugh had a career game Tuesday but it wasn't enough as the Simpson men's basketball team fell to Mt. Mercy 78-74 at the Jon Davison Classic. 

Amsbaugh scored a career-high 24 points and pulled down seven rebounds, but the Storm (6-4) saw their two-game winning streak come to a close. Austin Turner added 14 points and five assists.

Simpson trailed by as many as 12 in the second half but pulled within one twice in the last 3 minutes. Ryan Skaar's only 3-pointer of the game made it 70-69 with 2:50 left and a jumper by DJ Dafney made it 72-71 with 1:41 left. 

But Simpson couldn't pull ahead. Turner made 1 of 2 at the free throw line to make it 76-74 with 12 seconds left, but Tre Wagner made a pair of free throws with 5 seconds left to seal the win.

Wagner and Mychael Brawner led four Mustangs (10-4) in double figures with 17 points apiece. Alex Houston added 15 points on 4-for-5 shooting and CJ Parker hit four 3-pointers.

Despite the loss, Simpson's defense held Mt. Mercy 12 points under its season average of 90-plus points per game. The Mustangs came into the game receiving votes in the latest NAIA Division II Coaches' Poll.

Up next: The Storm play Illinois Tech on Wednesday at 3 p.m.