Simpson holds off Wartburg rally to win in overtime

INDIANOLA, Iowa - A furious comeback from Wartburg was handled by the Simpson College men's basketball team, winning in overtime, 106-98, at Cowles Fieldhouse.

The Storm (8-11, 2-8 A-R-C) got out to a healthy first half lead, but the Knights (3-17, 2-9 A-R-C) battled back immediately to start the second half, going up by six with 2:21 to go. The Storm came back and forced overtime, eventually winning the overtime period after being sparked by Jack Hutchinson's career-high 31 points.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Simpson went down 11-6 early, but rattled off an 18-2 run to take a 24-13 lead.
• The Storm led by as many as 14 late in the first half, 44-30, but led by 11 at halftime after a 3-pointer by Caden Rehmeier with under three seconds left.
• Wartburg came out strong in the second half, converting two and-ones and a four-point play in the opening four minutes of the period.
• Simpson got the lead back to eight after Wartburg got within three, but the Knights kept battling, tying the game at 78 with just over four minutes to go.
• The Knights used a 14-2 run to eventually take an 84-78 lead, but the Storm answered with a Hutchinson and-one, followed by a triple from Andrew Curran to cut the lead to one point.
• After Wartburg made 1 of 2 from the free throw line, Curran tied the game with a running jump shot with 25 seconds left. The Simpson defense forced overtime, not allowing the Knights to get off a shot.
• After each team traded buckets, Rehmeier nailed a massive 3-pointer to put Simpson up three.
• Hutchinson made another tough contested shot to put Simpson up five and nailed six free throws over the final stretch to seal the win.

TOP STORM

• Jack Hutchinson - 31 points, 7 rebounds, 8-8 FT
• Andrew Gibb - 23 points, 4 rebounds
• Caden Rehmeier - 15 points, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks
• Andrew Curran - 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
• Lincoln Swanson - 4 points, 7 rebounds

NOTABLE

• Simpson has now won two of the last three meetings against Wartburg.
• In addition to his career-high 31 points, Hutchinson also pulled down a career-high 7 rebounds.
• The Storm made all 10 free attempts in the overtime period.
• Simpson shot over 50 percent from the field for the first time in conference play this season.
• Simpson is now 5-1 when scoring at least 90 points and won for the first time this season allowing 90 or more points as well.

UP NEXT
The Storm head back on the road to take on Coe on Wednesday evening.