Comeback effort falls short against Ripon

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. - Tim Dunlavy recorded a double-double and Simpson mounted an 11-point comeback in the second half, but a late rally allowed Ripon to escape with a 78-72 win at the Pioneer Ford/Frito Lay Thanksgiving Classic Sunday.

Dunlavy scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Storm (1-5), earning a spot on the all-tournament team. Andrew Dau had 13 points and seven rebounds, Matt Fouch added 11 and Robet King scored 10.

Trailing by 11 early in the second frame, Simpson used an 18-2 run in taking a 58-53 lead with just under 10 minutes remaining. The Storm capitalized from the charity stripe on the drive, getting 12 of its 18 points from the free throw line. Simpson made a season-high 26-of-36 free throws in the game.

After a Zack Barragan three-pointer made the score 65-60 with 6 minutes 13 seconds remaining, the Red Hawks (3-1) scored 11 unanswered over the next three minutes in taking a 71-65 lead.

From there, Simpson could get no closer than four in its third consecutive loss.

Scott Gillespie scored 26 and dished out eight assists to lead Ripon, followed by Aris Wurtz's 25 points.

Simpson opens the Iowa Conference portion of its schedule Wednesday when it travels to Pella to face Central at 8 p.m.