Morrow's clutch free throws lift Storm to win over Lebanon Valley

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Noreen Morrow made a pair of free throws with 1 second remaining, Bridget Rothert's potential game-winning 3-pointer missed short as time expired and the Simpson women's basketball team beat Lebanon Valley in a 54-53 thriller Tuesday at the Puerto Rico College Tours Tournament.

Morrow scored eight of her team-high 12 points in the second half, adding 12 rebounds as the Storm (7-4) won their third in a row. The sophomore pulled down an offensive rebound on a missed jumper by Allison Platte and drew a foul as time expired. After a consultation by the officials, 1 second was put back on the clock.

Taylor Umbrell had 15 points and six rebounds to lead the Dutchmen (8-3), who came into the game receiving votes in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25 Poll. Lebanon Valley already has two wins over top 15 teams on the season, including a 59-50 win over No. 9 Montclair State the night before.

Britney Boland had eight points and 12 rebounds and Maddie Bosworth added nine points for Simpson. The Storm are now 6-1 after starting the season 1-3.

Simpson got three chances to win or tie in the final 16 seconds. LVC led 53-51 when Bosworth drew a foul. She missed her second attempt, but Simpson got another chance after the loose ball went out of bounds. Platte missed from just inside the arc off the inbounds play, but Morrow went above the pack to secure the board.

Simpson dominated on the glass, owning a 47-30 advantage on the day.

LVC trailed most of the game, taking its first lead on a 3-point play by Umbrell with 52 seconds left. Morrow cut the lead to 52-51 before Alyssa Cirucci made 1 of 2 at the line.

Stat of the game: Simpson won despite making a season-low one 3-pointer and committing 23 turnovers. The Storm went just 1-for-12 from beyond the arc and its 23 turnovers are the second-most by the team this season.

Up next: Simpson begins Iowa Conference play Wednesday, Jan. 6 at Buena Vista. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.