Storm women stumble down the stretch in IIAC Tournament loss

STORM LAKE, Iowa - Lexi Fisher scored 17 points, including five 3-pointers, and Buena Vista beat the Simpson women's basketball team 87-61 on Tuesday, eliminating the Storm from the Iowa Conference Tournament.

Buena Vista broke open a six-point game in the third quarter with a 25-8 run, including a 13-0 run to start the fourth quarter. Sidney Beckman came off the bench to chip in 15 points on 5-for-8 shooting from 3-point range for the fourth-seeded Beavers (15-11), who advance to play top-seeded Luther on Thursday.

Mackenzie Haupt had 14 points and Maddie Bosworth finished with 11 points and six assists for the fifth-seeded Storm (15-11), who saw their season come to a close. 

Haupt kept Simpson in the game in the first half, scoring 11 points on 4-for-5 shooting in the opening frame. Buena Vista built an early 10-point lead but Simpson battled back, pulling within four on a 3 by Morgan Mauro with 22 seconds left in the first before Buena Vista took a 43-38 lead into the break.

Buena Vista led 60-46 before Annie Gullickson made back-to-back jumpers to close the third quarter. The Beavers opened the fourth with a 13-0 spurt, including two 3s by Morgan Muhlbauer and one by Fisher, opening a 73-50 lead and putting the game out of reach.

Simpson shot better than 53 percent in the first half but cooled significantly in the second, going just 7-for-26. 

Seniors Maddie Bosworth, Annie Gullickson, Mackenzie Haupt, Morgan Mauro, Kristin Riley and Whitney Van Wyk played their final game for the Storm. Megan Lankford plans to return for a fifth season of eligibility.