Simpson falls in final seconds against Saint Vincent

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. - The Simpson College men's basketball team charged back in the second half, but a late 3-pointer from Saint Vincent stole the game away in heartbreaking fashion.

The Storm (5-6, 0-4 A-R-C) rallied from double-digit deficits in each half, but the Bearcats (12-0) preserved their unbeaten start with a late triple and block on the ensuing Storm possession.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Bearcats started out on the front foot, holding the Storm to 10 points through the opening 10 minutes and leading 21-10.
• Saint Vincent went up by as many as 13 in the first half, but Simpson slowly began to chip away at the lead. The Storm used a 10-1 run to bring the game within three points after a pair of free throws from Andrew Gibb.
• The Bearcats started brighter once again in the second half, extending the lead back to 10 points, but Simpson refused to go away. Gibb nailed a triple to give the Storm its first lead of the game at 50-49 to cap off another 10-1 run.
• Simpson went up six after Levi Gurwell knocked down a pair of free throws, but Saint Vincent rattled off a 10-2 run to retake the lead.
• The two teams traded buckets before Simpson went on a mini run sparked by four points from Gibb to eventually lead, 70-65, with under three minutes to go.
• After the Bearcats nailed a triple to tie the game at 72, Easton Darling hit a sweet jumper to give the Storm the lead with under a minute to go.
• The Storm led 78-76, but a turnover in the backcourt gave the Bearcats the ball with six seconds to play and they went in front with a deep 3-pointer. Gibb had a chance at the buzzer, but his layup was blocked as time expired.

TOP STORM

• Andrew Gibb - 20 points, 5 rebounds
• Easton Darling - 18 points, 3 rebounds
• Andrew Curran - 15 points, 7 rebounds
• Jack Hutchinson - 14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists

NOTABLE

• This was the first meeting between the schools.
• Andrew Gibb scored at least 20 points for the third straight game.
• Simpson made a season-low five 3-pointers, but tied its season high in made free throws with 23.
• The Storm outrebounded the Bearcats, 46-43, but the Bearcats earned a 40-22 advantage in points in the paint.

UP NEXT
The Storm return to Iowa for two games against Wisconsin Lutheran and Lake Forest in the Loras Holiday Classic next weekend.