MBB Preview: Simpson meets Central for 205th time

INDIANOLA, Iowa -- The Simpson College men's basketball team takes on Central tonight for the 205th time in the series. The game will begin at 5:30 p.m. inside Cowles Fieldhouse.

The Storm (0-4, 0-2 A-R-C) are looking for their first win this season and the Dutch (0-0, 0-0 A-R-C) compete for the first time after three-straight postponements.

Todd Guessford and Ethan Humble will be on the call as the game will be streamed live through SimpsonAthletics.com. Pregame will begin at 5:15 p.m.

GAME 5
Central (0-0, 0-0 A-R-C) at Simpson (0-4, 0-2 A-R-C)
Wednesday, Feb. 3 | 5:30 p.m.
Cowles Fieldhouse | Indianola, Iowa
Live Video | Live Stats | Audio (KNIA)

SIMPSON ATTENDANCE POLICY
At this time, the general public, faculty, staff and students will not be allowed to attend home contests inside Cowles Fieldhouse. Student-athletes and coaches from both teams will be permitted two spectators that can attend.

Click HERE for the full release from Simpson Athletics.

CENTRAL SERIES NOTES
The Storm and Dutch meet for the 205th time as Simpson has won two of the last three contests in a series that dates back to the 1906-07 season ... after winning 93-87 in the first matchup last season, the Storm looked poised to sweep the 2019-20 series, but Central had other plans ... it was a back-and-forth contest through the first half with the Dutch owning a 38-37 lead at the break ... in the second half, Central climbed out to a 13-point advantage at 60-47, but Simpson bounced back with a 15-1 run to grab a one-point tilt at 69-68 with 3:50 to go ... the Dutch would drain a 3-pointer to steal the momentum and made their free throws at the end to seal the victory.

RECENT RESULTS
Feb. 8, 2020 — L, 78-71 (Central)
Jan. 11, 2020 — W, 91-71 (Indianola)
Feb. 2, 2019 — W, 93-87 (Indianola)
Jan. 16, 2019 — L, 87-84 (Pella)
Feb. 7, 2018 — W, 96-85 (Indianola)

ABOUT THE DUTCH
After three-straight postponements, Central is having its season opener tonight ... the Dutch come into the matchup after being picked to finish in a tie for seventh place with Luther in the American Rivers Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll ... Central ended the 2019-20 slate with a 5-20 record and went 2-14 in league play ... the Dutch return four starters from last year's squad, highlighted by senior Adam Flinn ... Flinn ended second in the league in scoring at 21.0.

LAST TIME OUT
Simpson's offense struggled in its last outing on Saturday at Coe during an 84-64 defeat ... the Kohawks held the lead the whole game besides an early 2-0 advantage the Storm owned ... sophomore Andrew Curran led with 16 points, while Collin Lister (13) and Deontei Johnson (11) also scored in double figures.

UP NEXT
The Storm travel to Dubuque on Saturday for a 2 p.m. game against the Spartans.