Swarming defense powers Storm women to big win

INDIANOLA, Iowa – Noreen Morrow had 24 points and a swarming Simpson defense forced 30 Loras turnovers as the Storm women's basketball team cruised to an 81-53 win in its Iowa Conference home opener Wednesday.

The 6-2 Morrow needed just 18 minutes to set a new career high, going 8-for-13 from the field. She headlined a dominant effort down low, as Katie Ahrenholtz added 10 points and the Storm (9-5, 2-1 Iowa Conference) outscored Loras 38-14 in the paint.

"She is a force," head coach Brian Niemuth said of Morrow. "She just gets better every game."

Maddie Bosworth had 14 points and Whitney Van Wyk had six to go along with four steals. Simpson's defensive effort led to 31 points off turnovers.

Kennedy Wohlford came off the bench to score 11 points to lead the Duhawks (9-5, 2-1).

Loras came into the game riding a five-game winning streak, but Simpson seized control early by jumping out to a 10-point lead in the first 4 minutes. A 3 by Mackenzie Haupt with 6:03 to play in the first gave Simpson a 13-3 advantage and Loras couldn't get closer than seven the rest of the way.

Simpson put the game away with a 15-5 run to close the first half. Ahrenholtz provided six points during the spurt and Morrow added four as Simpson led 38-21 at the break.

Up next: Simpson hosts Dubuque on Saturday, Jan. 16. The Spartans (5-9, 0-3) lost to Central 74-63 on Wednesday.