Dunlavy reaches 1000; Simpson picks up first win

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - Simpson senior Tim Dunlavy became the latest member of Simpson's 1,000-point club Saturday afternoon as the Storm defeated Nebraska Wesleyan, 61-49 at the 11th Jim Merris Tournament.

Needing eight points to reach 1,000 entering the day, the two-time First Team All-Iowa Conference selection from Bettendorf scored 10 to move his career total to 1,002. He is the first Simpson player to reach the 1,000-point milestone since 2007 graduates Ryan Hittenmiller and Jason Parkinson accomplished the feat.

Dunlavy added 10 rebounds for the double-double, helping the Storm (1-2) to its first win of the season. Zack Barragan led a balanced Simpson attack with 14 points, while Andrew Dau had 11 and JJ Vanderheiden added eight.

For the second time this season, Barragan connected on four three-pointers, going 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. Elijah Knox led the team with three assists, while Dau led the defense with three steals.

Trailing 25-24 at the half, the two teams exchanged buckets before a jumper from Peter Jorgensen tied the game at 30. Dunlavy's layup with 15:52 to go in the game gave Simpson the lead and sparked a 14-3 run that opened up an 11-point Simpson advantage. Simpson led by as much as 20 in the second period, shooting 53.6 percent from the field in the period while out-scoring Nebraska Wesleyan, 37-24.

Simpson held a strong advantage on the inside, scoring 28 points in the paint to 18 for the Prairie Wolves.

Nick Dinan led NWU with nine points, pulling down a team-high six boards.

Simpson finishes the Jim Merris Tournament at 1-1 after losing the host, Illinois College, Friday. Simpson opens the home portion of its schedule Tuesday, Nov. 24 with a non-conference game agaisnt Grand View. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at Simpson's Cowles Fieldhouse.