Late surge lifts Illinois College past Simpson

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - Taking on Illinois College in the championship game of the Bill Merris Invitational, the Simpson men's basketball team fell 83-to-71 to close out the opening weekend of the season.

Cam Henderson continued his hot start to the 2025-26 year, scoring 25 points on 8-for-13 shooting and a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. Spencer Holley was the only other Storm to reach the double-digit mark, finishing with 11 on four made field goals.

As a team, Simpson shot efficiently from the floor, ending the night at 25-for-57 (43.9 percent) from the field, and 11-for-23 (47.8 percent) beyond the arc.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Illinois College jumped out to an early 11-2 lead before Simpson struck from deep four times to close the score down to just a one possession game eight minutes in.
• The Blueboys once again stretched their lead to double-digits in the first half when Simpson closed out the half on a 12-to-4 run to take a 37-34 deficit into halftime.
• Key early second half baskets from Henderson, Spencer Holley, and Mateo Dzolota brought the game to a 45-to-45 tie just five minutes into the half.
• Both sides went back-and-forth for a majority of the second half, keeping the game near one possession until Illinois College started to pull away in the final minutes.
• Illinois College closed out the final seven minutes of the game on a 22-to-12 run to secure the 83-to-71 result.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

Cam Henderson - 25 points, 8-13 FG, 26 minutes
Spencer Holley - 11 points, 4-7 FG, 27 minutes
Jachin Mertes - 8 points, 5 rebounds, 24 minutes

UP NEXT

Simpson heads to Des Moines to take on D-I opponent Drake for an exhibition game with tip-off scheduled for 6:30 p.m.