MBB Preview: Storm host Dubuque in A-R-C opener

INDIANOLA, Iowa -- The Simpson Storm men's basketball team opens American Rivers Conference play tonight with a 7:30 p.m. contest against Dubuque inside Cowles Fieldhouse.

The Storm (5-2, 0-0 A-R-C) come into the matchup after winning 161-160 over Greenville on Saturday to end the Carroll Pre-Thanksgiving Classic. The Spartans (3-0, 0-0 A-R-C) are well rested after having a week off of competition since last playing on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Dubuque won 67-61 against Edgewood.

The game will be video streamed live on SimpsonAthletics.com. Fans can also access the video stream via the American Rivers application on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Android TV.

GAME 8
Dubuque (3-0, 0-0 A-R-C) at Simpson (5-2, 0-0 A-R-C)
Tuesday, Nov. 26 | 7:30 p.m.
Cowles Fieldhouse | Indianola, Iowa
Live Video | Live Stats

DUBUQUE SERIES NOTES
Simpson and Dubuque meet for the 153rd in a series that dates back to 1919 … the Spartans hold an 83-69 tilt in the series, but the Storm have been strong as of late by winning four of the last five meetings … Simpson swept the season series a year ago by claiming 86-71 and 75-62 triumphs.

RECENT RESULTS
Jan. 26, 2019 — W, 75-62 (Indianola)
Jan. 5, 2019 — W, 86-71 (Dubuque)
Jan. 24, 2018 — L, 80-76 (Indianola)
Dec. 6, 2017 — W, 87-83 (Dubuque)
Feb. 8, 2017 — W, 79-69 (Indianola)

ABOUT THE SPARTANS
Dubuque and 13th-year head coach Robbie Sieverding enter with a perfect start to the season at 3-0 … the offense is scoring 97.0 points per game while just four players are averaging in double figures … Mitch Burger is pacing the team with 11.7 points per contest and is tied for second on the team with 5.3 rebounds a game … the defense is allowing opponents to net 72.7 points per outing on 39.7% shooting.

LAST TIME OUT
Simpson played in a scoring marathon last Saturday as they went against Greenville in a contest that saw both teams combine to score 321 points … the Storm won 161-160 in overtime over the Panthers after Conor Riordan made a couple clutch plays down the stretch … Riordan drilled a triple as time expired in regulation to tie the game and pushed the contest into overtime … while in the extra stanza, the senior sank two free throws to grab the lead in the final seconds to seal the victory.

STORM NOTES
• Simpson is leading the American Rivers Conference in scoring at 103.1 points per game.
• The team's 55.6% shooting clip tops the league.
• From behind the arc, the offense is connecting on 45.9% for first in the league on 61 makes.
• Conor Riordan, Adam Reiter and Kyle Wagner are all in the top seven in the conference in scoring.
• The Storm have hit the century mark three times while scoring.

UP NEXT
Simpson travels to Coe on Wednesday, Dec. 4 for a 7:30 p.m. contest.