Simpson nearly knocks off A-R-C leading Prairie Wolves

INDIANOLA, Iowa - Down by three with seconds to go, Simpson corralled a missed free throw, found Cam Henderson for a game-tying 3-pointer, but the guard was unable to connect as the Storm fell 65-62 to Nebraska Wesleyan.

Simpson (8-12, 5-6 A-R-C) trailed by seven in the second half before a 14-0 run flipped the script and put the Storm on top by seven. Nebraska Wesleyan (16-5, 11-1) clawed back over the final ten minutes of action leading to one score game with just five seconds on the clock and Simpson at the free throw line.

Bo Huston missed the front end of the 1-and-1, but Isaac Averill tipped the ball out to Levi Gurwell who found Henderson in front of the Storm bench for a look to tie the game. Despite the look, Henderson, who led the Storm in scoring with 16 points, could not connect and the Prairie Wolves survived Cowles Fieldhouse for the three-point win.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• In the opening half, defense was the story of the game as both sides grinded for every basket. Simpson finished the half outshooting Nebraska Wesleyan 39 to 38 percent but trailed by seven at the break due to NWU's advantage on the boards (21-to-13).
• The Prairie Wolves continued to hold Simpson's offense in check until a Henderson jump shot three and half minutes kickstarted 14 straight points for the Storm.
• Henderson scored eight of the 14 points, while a pair of 3-pointers from Gurwell and Huston turned a seven point deficit into a seven point lead.
• Simpson's lead touched double-digits with ten minutes left before the Prairie Wolves adjusted.
• Nebraska Wesleyan outscored Simpson 22-to-5 over the next eight minutes to pull ahead 60-54 with two minutes left.
• Cahill converted three free throws and a corner 3-pointer from Huston put Simpson in a position to tie before the final missed shot from deep closed out the game.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

Isaac Averill - 9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Cam Henderson - 16 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
Calix Cahill - 11 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals
Bo Huston - 9 points, 3-for-3 3FG, 3 rebounds

UP NEXT

The Storm hit the road for Storm Lake to take on Buena Vista this Saturday, Feb. 7 for a 4 p.m. tip-off.