Lincoln, Neb., Novmber 24, 2012 – Junior guard Kevin Bischoff scored all of his career-high 10 points in the second half to rally the No. 21 ranked Washington University in St. Louis men's basketball team to a 71-66 victory over Simpson College on Saturday at the Snyder Classic in Lincoln, Neb.
Bischoff, who entered the contest with four points in the first four games of the season, was 2-of-3 from three-point range and 2-of-3 from the free-throw line in the win. His previous high was eight points in a 71-68 victory over No. 1 Augustana on Dec. 3, 2011.
Sophomore forward Matt Palucki recorded the second double-double of his career with a season-high 17 points and a career-best 13 rebounds. Junior forward Chris Klimek (14 points) and senior center Robert Burnett (13 points) also scored in double figures for Washington University, who shot 65.2 percent (15-23) in the second half.
Washington U. was very sluggish early in the contest connecting on just four of its first 16 shots from the field with four turnovers. The Bears went without a field goal for almost seven minutes and trailed 15-8 with less than 11 minutes to play. Burnett snapped the scoreless streak for the Bears on a put-back to make it 15-10.
The Bears played without Klimek for most of the first half after he picked up his second foul with 14:40 to play. Klimek was limited to two points on 1-of-2 field goals in the opening half.
The Bears were down by eight (20-12) before going on a 12-4 run that tied the score at 24-24 after a lay-up by Burnett. Washington U. trailed 29-28 at halftime after shooting 34.4 percent (11-32) from the field and did not hit a three-point shot in the opening 20 minutes. Palucki led all scorers with 12 points and hit 4-of-4 from the foul line.
Washington U. trailed for the opening 12 minutes of the second half, but the play of Bischoff ignited the Bears offense. He tied the game at 52-52 with 7:25 to play on a three-pointer from the wing, and then on the ensuing possession he hustled for an offensive rebound and found Burnett open underneath for a lay-up to make it 54-52. Burnett recorded a three-point play on the next trip down to push the lead to five (57-52) with 5:47 remaining.
Bischoff sealed the victory for Washington U. with his second three-pointer of the half with 1:48 to play and added a pair of free-throws with 30.5 seconds left to make it 66-61.
Washington U. shot 47.3 percent (26-55) in the win and outrebounded Simpson 37-30. The Bears had 17 assists and 17 turnovers in the victory.
Junior guard Alan Aboona added nine points, a season-high 10 assists and a career-best five steals en route to being named to the all-tournament team along with Klimek. Aboona set a tournament record with 18 assists in the two games, while Klimek averaged 22.5 points per game.
Simpson (1-4) had four players score in doubles figures: Austin Hennings (16 points), Elijah Knox (15 points), Olu Rotibi (12 points) and Charles Swain (10 points). The Storm shot 46.6 percent (27-58) from the field and were limited to seven assists in the defeat.
Washington University (5-0) hosts the 29th Annual Lopata Classic Friday-Saturday, Nov. 30-Dec. 1, at the WU Field House. No. 8 ranked Illinois Wesleyan University, Tufts University, Wilmington College and Washington U. will take part in the two-day event. Illinois Wesleyan and Tufts take the court at 6 p.m. Friday, followed by Washington U. and Wilmington at 8 p.m.
Bear Notebook: Simpson had won both previous meetings between the two teams … The Bears are 5-0 for the first time since the 2009-10 season … Klimek has scored in double figures in 21 of 26 career games played.