Barragan's career-high leads Simpson over Bethany Lutheran

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. - Zack Barragan (Ankeny, Iowa) scored a career-high 29 points, Cornelius Mosby (Chicago, Ill.) posted a 17-point, 17-rebound double-double and Simpson beat Bethany Lutheran 83-71 in the first round of the UW-Eau Claire Holiday Classic on Thursday.

Barragan made 8 of 12 3-pointers for the Storm (4-6 overall), who outscored Bethany Lutheran 17-7 over the last 7 minutes. Chad Boston (Des Moines, Iowa) added 15 points and seven rebounds.

Alex Weldon carried the Vikings (2-8) with a game-high 34 points.

After Patrick Garvin's layup tied the game at 65, a pair of jumpers by Boston gave Simpson a 68-64 lead. Bethany Lutheran cut it to two before Simpson rattled off seven straight, sparked by Barragan's eighth triple of the game.

Simpson held on down the stretch, making 6 of 7 free throws.

Simpson plays the winner of the UW-Eau Claire/Judson (Ill.) game Friday at 7 p.m.

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