News Release

Platteville, Wis. — Simpson defeated Washington (Mo.) 96-84 in the third place game of the Wis.-Platteville Pioneer Tip-Off Tournament Nov. 20 in Platteville. Jason Soppe scored a career high 27 points (21 was his previous high against Coe Jan. 23, 2005). The 6-5 center was 12-for-18 from the field and grabbed 13 rebounds. Both were game highs. Ryan Hittenmiller charted 20 points, five rebounds, and three steals. Scott Ellens and Jason Parkinson each added 19 points. The quartet scored all but 11 of Simpson's points.

The Bears led 44-43 at halftime and led 50-49 with 17:35 remaining. The Storm used a 17-6 run to take the lead and led by as much as 14 during the closing frame. Washington went on an 11-0 run to make it 83-78 with 4:35 remaining, but Simpson weathered the attack and scored the next four points and pushed the lead back into double digits down the stretch.

Simpson shot 50% (34-68) from the field for the game and forced 24 Washington turnovers. Parkinson tallied four steals while Hittenmiller and Matt Gilbert had three steals respectively. Washington was led by Mike Grunst who scored a career-high 23 points on 10-14 shooting.

The 96 points are the most the Storm have scored in a 40-minute contest since the 2002-03 season (94 vs Central). Soppe averaged 18 points and 9.5 rebounds during the meet and was named to the All-Tournament team.

At Williams Fieldhouse, UW-Platteville
SIMPSON COLLEGE 96
WASHINGTON UNIV. 84

WASHINGTON UNIV. (0-2)
GRUNST, Mike 10-14 2-2 23; STONE, Scott 7-17 2-2 20; RUTHS, Troy 7-10 5-6 19; NADING, Tyler 2-5 3-4 7; WALLIS, Sean 2-6 1-1 6; O'BOYLE, Danny 1-3 2-2 5; ASHCRAFT-WILLIAMS,IA 2-3 0-0 4; WILLIAMS, Cameron 0-0 0-0 0; SCHERMERHORN, Moss 0-0 0-0 0; GRIFFIN, Neal 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 31-59 15-17 84.

SIMPSON COLLEGE (1-1)
SOPPE, Jason 12-18 3-7 27; HITTENMILLER, Ryan 6-13 4-5 20; ELLENS, Scott 7-11 2-2 19; PARKINSON, Jason 6-8 6-6 19; THORSON, Adam 1-5 2-2 5; GILBERT, Matt 1-6 1-2 3; LARSEN, Kaj 1-3 0-0 3; HAWKINS, Lyndon 0-2 0-0 0; CERMAK, Brett 0-1 0-0 0; TRAVIS, Jeff 0-0 0-0 0; COMBS, David 0-1 0-0 0; TUBAUGH, Brennen 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 34-68 18-24 96.

Washington Univ. (Mo.).....44   40  -   84
Simpson College..............43   53  -   96

3-point goals-Washington Univ. (Mo.) 7-25 (STONE, Scott 4-14; GRUNST, Mike 1-1; O'BOYLE, Danny 1-3; WALLIS, Sean 1-4; GRIFFIN, Neal 0-1; ASHCRAFT-WILLIAMS,IA 0-1; NADING, Tyler 0-1), Simpson College 10-19 (HITTENMILLER, Ryan 4-7; ELLENS, Scott 3-6; LARSEN, Kaj 1-2; PARKINSON, Jason 1-1; THORSON, Adam 1-2; GILBERT, Matt 0-1). Fouled out--Washington Univ. (Mo.)-NADING, Tyler, Simpson College-None. Rebounds-Washington Univ. (Mo.) 27 (GRUNST, Mike 9), Simpson College 38 (SOPPE, Jason 13). Assists-Washington Univ. (Mo.) 19 (NADING, Tyler 4), Simpson College 19 (CERMAK, Brett 4). Total fouls-Washington Univ. (Mo.) 20, Simpson College 19. A-150.