Dutch hold off Storm in conference opener

PELLA, Iowa - A tight contest throughout most of the game, the Simpson College men's basketball team came up just shy in its conference opener against Central by a score of 80-76.

Andrew Gibb scored a game-high 23 points for the Storm (2-2, 0-1 A-R-C) and Caden Rehmeier added 19 to go along with five triples. The Dutch (5-0, 1-0 A-R-C) dominated the glass by a 53-28 margin, with the extra opportunities on the glass making up for the 17 turnovers the Storm defense forced.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Storm and the Dutch largely traded buckets through most of the first half, with neither team leading by as many as five. The Dutch put together the first run of the game to push the lead to 28-19.
• Simpson responded with a 9-0 run capped off by Jack Hutchinson's jumper to tie the game, but Central ripped the momentum right back, going on a 11-0 run over the final four minutes to close the half and lead 38-29.
• The Storm did not let Central run away out of the halftime break, with Rehmeier and Gibb nailing triples to spark a 14-6 Simpson run.
• Easton Darling tied the game at 50 with two free throws before Central nailed two massive threes, but the Storm again did not allow Central to pull away.
• A Rehmeier triple a few minutes later cut the lead to 66-65, and Darling nailed a three of his own to tie it at 68 after a Central bucket.
• However, the Central rebounding continued to prove a difference, as the Dutch got multiple offensive rebounds in the final minutes, using them to pull ahead and hold off the Storm via free throws.

TOP STORM

• Andrew Gibb - 23 points, 3 rebounds
• Caden Rehmeier - 19 points, 5-8 3PT, 9 rebounds
• Easton Darling - 13 points, 4 assists
• Andrew Curran - 11 points, 5 assists

NOTABLE

• The Dutch have now won five straight in the series against Simpson.
• Rehmeier was one rebound away from his second straight double-double.
• Gibb continues to be perfect from the free throw line this season.
• The Storm shot 56 percent in the second half, compared to just 29 percent in the first period.
• Despite committing a season-low nine turnovers, Simpson was outrebounded 53-28 to offset the extra possession opportunities.

UP NEXT
The Storm will stay on the road and take on Cornell College on Saturday.