All-around effort key in convincing win over Buena Vista

INDIANOLA, Iowa – Whitney Van Wyk scored a career-high 17 points as Simpson utilized a productive bench and a flurry of turnovers by Buena Vista to earn their second conference victory, 93-69.

The Storm (7-7, 2-1 IIAC) set the tone from the outset, forcing 11 Buena Vista turnovers they converted into 13 points. The Simpson bench dominated the Beavers' reserves to the tune of a 22-0 margin in the half. Van Wyk paved the way with three of her game-high six steals as the stingy defense held the Beavers (6-8, 0-3 IIAC) to just 26.7% shooting en route to a 46-31 halftime advantage. Reserve Maddie Muhlenbruck racked up all eight of her points and earned two steals in the first period as well.

Simpson continued to roll on both ends of the floor in the second half. The defense held the Iowa Conference's leading scorer, Susan Kies (17.8 ppg), scoreless while the offense cashed in six more 3-pointers. 

Kies finished with 12 points all coming in the first half.

As a team, Simpson nailed a season-high 12 3-pointers, including a career-high five from Van Wyk. Despite playing without leading scorer Brooke Panzer (12.7 ppg) due to injury, the Storm used their 3-point barrage in tallying their second-highest point total of the year. Only their win over Illinois Tech (94 points) yielded a higher mark.

A number of key contributors propelled the Simpson women to their seventh straight win over Buena Vista.

Freshman starter Brittany Hedrick continued her hot shooting with 13 points and a career-high six assists. In her last four games she's averaging 17.3 ppg compared to 5.1 ppg in her first eight.

Little-used freshman reserve Taryn Barz shined as she nearly made up for the absence of Panzer, scoring 11 points in just 15 minutes of duty. She came into the game with seven total points on the year. 

Barz's contribution helped Simpson's bench outscore Buena Vista's 46-9, while the defense held the Beavers to 14 points below their season average. 

The Storm return to action this Saturday, Jan. 18 as they host the Luther Norse at 2 p.m. in Cowles Fieldhouse.