Posted: Jan 15, 2016

Storm women put undefeated home record on the line Saturday

INDIANOLA, Iowa - The Simpson women's basketball team looks to remain undefeated at home when it hosts Dubuque on Saturday, Jan. 16 at Cowles Fieldhouse. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.

Game Setup
Matchup: Dubuque (5-9, 0-3 IIAC) at Simpson (9-5, 2-1 IIAC)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 16
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Cowles Fieldhouse - Indianola, Iowa

Live Coverage
Live Video: SimpsonAthletics.com
Live Stats: SimpsonAthletics.com
Live Audio: kniakrls.com

Last Time Out
Noreen Morrow had a career-high 24 points in just 18 minutes and a swarming defense forced 30 turnovers as Simpson cruised to an 81-53 win over Loras in the Iowa Conference home opener Wednesday, Jan. 13. Maddie Bosworth had 14 points and Whitney Van Wyk had six and four steals as the Storm scored 31 points off Loras turnovers.

A look at Dubuque
The Spartans are 5-9 overall and 0-3 in the Iowa Conference following three straight losses to open league play. Dubuque most recently lost to Central 74-63 on the road Wednesday. Returning honorable mention all-IIAC guard Emily Brinker leads a young squad in scoring, averaging 16 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. In addition to Brinker - a junior - sophomores Abbey Meyer (14.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.9 apg) and Breaanna Steen (10.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg) make up Dubuque's big three. The Spartans rank near the bottom of the league in scoring offense (66.8 ppg) and scoring defense (73.8).

The all-time series
Saturday marks the 72nd meeting in the all-time series that began in 1980-81. Simpson leads the series 64-7, though the teams have split the previous six meetings. Dubuque swept both games in 2014-15, beating the Storm 78-72 at Dubuque on Jan. 24 and 69-66 at Indianola on Feb. 11. Simpson is 31-5 against Dubuque at Cowles Fieldhouse.

TOP 5 STORM STORYLINES

1. Storm look to remain perfect at home
Simpson is a perfect 4-0 at Cowles Fieldhouse this season, scoring 76 points per game and outscoring opponents by 16 points per game. Simpson averages just 63.1 points away from home. The Storm shoot better at home (44.8% to 40.5%), hit more free throws (78.2% to 69.9%) and make more 3-pointers (8.8 per game to 5.1 per game). Simpson also forces more turnovers (21.8 per game to 17 per game) and tallies more steals (12.5 per game to 9.1 per game).

2. Morrow continues to roll
Already enjoying a breakout season, 6-2 sophomore center Noreen Morrow has taken her game to another level against Iowa Conference competition. Averaging 12.2 points and 6.2 rebounds for the season, Morrow is averaging 20 points (second in the IIAC) and 7.7 rebounds (fourth in the IIAC) through three conference games. She leads the Storm in each category while shooting a sizzling 60 percent from the field.

3. Turning it around
The Storm got off to a slow start in 2015-16, going just 1-3 in the first four games. Since then, the Storm are 8-2 while holding opponents to just 61.8 points per game. Simpson is shooting 42.9 percent from the field during the stretch, compared to 39.2 to start the season.

4. Storm feature IIAC's most efficient posts
The Storm have the luxury of a lineup that includes the two most accurate shooters in the league in posts Noreen Morrow and Katie Ahrenholtz. The team's second-leading scorer, Morrow leads the league, shooting 58.6 percent from the field. Ahrenholtz, the Storm's top reserve, is second in the league, shooting 56.8 percent.

5. Mauro continues to climb 3-point list
Morgan Mauro is making her way up Simpson's career 3-point list. The senior is currently fourth all-time with 147 3s, just six shy of tying Tiffany Whitsell (1999-03) for third. She has 24 3s through 13 games this season, currently ninth in the IIAC. Amy Hamilton (2007-11) holds Simpson's career record with 241 3s, followed by Carlie Beals (2004-008) with 236.

The coach
Brian Niemuth is in his 29th season as Simpson's head coach, where he is 544-223. He has won 11 IIAC Championships and has led his team to the NCAA Tournament 11 times. The seven-time IIAC Coach of the Year entered the season ranked 10th among active Division III coaches in wins. He is the winningest coach in IIAC history with 329 victories.

Up next
Simpson goes to No. 13/14 Wartburg on Wednesday, Jan. 20.