Simpson Beats Iowa Wesleyan at the Buzzer

PARAGOULD Ark. - The #20 Florida College Falcons defeated the #23 Iowa Wesleyan University Tigers 80-77 in overtime on Friday night at Crowley's Ridge College.

This was the must-see Continental Athletic Conference game of the season, with eyes across the nation focused on the game. IWU came into the game 21-1, riding an NAIA-best 20-game winning streak. The Falcons started out hot, taking a 19-3 lead and then a 23-6 lead with 12 minutes remaining in the first half. The Tigers would claw back to cut the deficit to 11 points, 46-35 at halftime.

The second half saw the Falcons go ice cold, shooting just over 21% from the field, including 0-of-9 from beyond the arc. The Falcons led by 5 with 90 seconds remaining, but a put-back with just a few seconds left tied the game at 68 and ended up putting the game into overtime.

The Falcons started OT off right, taking a 3-point lead on multiple occasions. At the free throw line, up by three, Matt Simpson missed his second free throw with 50 seconds left, leaving the door open for the Tigers. Hakeem Odunsi delivered as he had all night, knocking his seventh triple of the game to tie it at 77-77.

The Falcons had the ball with the shot clock turned off and put the ball in their best player's hands, Matt Simpson. Simpson drained the clock, before creating separation on a step-back three-pointer to win the game! He finished the night off with 33 points. Ethan Smith and Anthony Bittar added 12 points apiece. Jashavius Perdue added 10 off the bench.

The Falcons' opponent again shot the lights out, nailing 15 threes at 40.5%. The 15 threes made were a season-high for IWU.

The win keeps the Falcons unbeaten against the CAC since joining the conference a season ago. It is the 9th win in a row and puts the Falcons at 21-3.