Storm prevail in Nielsen's absence

INDIANOLA, Iowa – Morgan Terpstra posted a double-double in her first career start, Chelsie Rohrs scored 16 points and made clutch plays down the stretch and the Simpson women's basketball team remained undefeated with a 67-62 win over UW-River Falls on Saturday.

Playing without the services of leading scorer and rebounder Kate Nielsen, Terpstra filled in nicely with 11 points, 10 rebounds and four steals for the Storm (9-0). Rohrs scored 11 in the second half and went a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line to help put the game away in the final minutes.

With the score tied 61-61 and 1:33 left in the game, Rohrs drew a foul and calmly knocked down both free throws for a two-point lead. Two possessions later, she went to the floor to steal the ball from Taylor Elton and alertly called a timeout. Kelsie Reeves took advantage of the possession by hitting a pair of free throws to give Simpson a 65-61 lead with 36 seconds left, putting the game away.

Tess Lueders scored a game-high 17 points for the Falcons (7-3), who won both meetings between the two teams last year and were 3-0 all-time against Simpson coming into the game.

Nicole Crisp added 12 points and Reeves had 11 for the Storm, who featured 10 players with 10-plus minutes of play in Nielsen's absence.

A close game throughout, River Falls held a 36-34 lead at halftime but Simpson went on a 10-0 run early in the second to seize control of the contest. The game featured 11 ties and 13 lead changes.

Next up for the Storm is a trip to Daytona Beach, Fla. for the Land of Magic Classic at Embry-Riddle College. The schedule includes meetings with No. 7 Amherst on Friday, Dec. 28 and Kenyon on Saturday, Dec. 29.