Tale of two halves as Simpson trumps Blugolds

INDIANOLA, Iowa – After surrendering 18 points off nine turnovers to the Blugolds in the first half the Simpson women came out firing on all cylinders in the second half to down UW-Eau Claire, 83-75.

It took a total team effort to snap out of their sub-par first half form as seven players scored, led by Brooke Panzer's six points and two assists, during a key 24-5 stretch to open up the second half. The run gave the Storm a lead, 57-51, they would not relinquish as Panzer tallied 11 of her team-high 19 points in the second period.

The Storm capitalized on Blugold errors in the second half as they scored 17 points off 16 Blugold turnovers compared to just two points off of six turnovers in the first.

Stat-stuffing point guard Teenie Lichtfuss (15 ppg, 6 rpg, and 6 apg) and the Eau Claire offense were held in check after attempting only 18 of their 53 shots during the second half. Lichtfuss finished up with a game-high 21 points, five assists, and six steals but it was not enough to overcome Simpson's stingy 2-3 zone and full-court press.

Eau Claire's Carly Chell gained all 11 of her points in the first as well.

Simpson's defense assisted their timely free throw shooting and productive bench. Panzer finished 9-of-10 and freshmen Katie Ahrenholtz went 7-of-8 as Simpson made 26 free throws to Eau Claire's 11. Up five with 31 seconds to go, Ahrenholtz and Panzer each sank two free throws in the following 10 seconds to put the game out of reach. Four Simpson reserves each chipped in with six or more points.

Ahrenholtz totaled a career-high 14 points and five rebounds in the victory.

Next up for the Storm is Iowa Wesleyan as they host the Tigers at 7 pm in Cowles Fieldhouse this Tuesday.