Amsbaugh posts double-double, Storm top Monmouth 75-65

MONMOUTH, Ill. — Sam Amsbaugh posted a double-double with 25 points and 10 rebounds and DJ Dafney just missed a double-double of his own as the Simpson men's basketball team beat Monmouth 75-65 in the season opener Tuesday.

Dafney finished with 10 points and nine rebounds and Ryan Skaar had 14 points and three 3-pointers -- all in the first half -- for the Storm (1-0), who scored 27 points off 24 turnovers.

Amsbaugh shot 8-for-9 from the field and went a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. 

Justin Aluya had 19 points and 10 rebounds and Will Jones added 17 points for the Scots (0-1).

Amsbaugh scored seven points as part of a 13-0 run late in the first half. Skaar made back-to-back 3-pointers and Amsbaugh closed the spurt with a 3 of his own as the Storm opened up a 31-19 lead. Simpson led by double figures the rest of the way.

Simpson outscored Monmouth 26-8 in the last 8 minutes of the first half, turning a one-point deficit into a 19-point lead at halftime.

UP NEXT
The Storm host Augsburg on Friday in the home opener. The Auggies will take the floor for the first time in 2016-17. Start time is set for 7 p.m.