Storm host Dubuque, Nebraska Wesleyan to get back on winning streak

The Simpson women's basketball team stays on the home court this week contending with the Dubuque Spartans (4-14, 2-7) on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 6 p.m.and facing the Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves (12-6, 3-6) on Saturday Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. at Cowles Fieldhouse.

Todd Guessford will have the call for the video stream on Wednesday and Saturday's games on SimpsonAthletics.com. Pre-game begins at 5:45 Wednesday and 1:45 on Saturday. Andrew Swadner and Rick Wilson will have the call for Saturday's game on KNIA 1320 AM/95.3 FM and online at KNIAKRLS.com.

THIS WEEK

Game #19: at Dubuque (4-14, 2-7)
Wednesday, Jan. 24 — 6 p.m.
Cowles Fieldhouse — Indianola, Iowa
Live Audio | Live Video | Live Stats

Game #20: vs Nebraska Wesleyan (12-6, 3-6)
Saturday, Jan 20 — 5 p.m.
Cowles Fieldhouse — Indianola, Iowa
Live Video | Live Stats

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
1 — The Storm (11-7, 5-4) split contests last week's two games, beating Central 89-74 on Wednesday, Jan. 17 before falling to Buena Vista 74-62 on Saturday. Simpson is fourth in the IIAC standings behind undefeated Wartburg, Luther and Coe.

2 — Simpson continues rank among the country's best in field goal percentage, shooting 45.5 percent from the field, good for 11th. Noreen Morrow ranks ninth in field goal percentage, shooting 60 percent.

3 — Norreen Morrow reached 1,000 career points in the third quarter of Saturday's game against the Beavers, giving her 1,006 in her career. The senior from Lake Park, Iowa is the 16th player to reach the 1,000-point club and the seventh player in Simpson history to reach 1,000 points and 500 rebounds.

4 — Racking up points last week was Jenna Taylor. Taylor scored a career high 33 points in the win against the Dutch and led the Storm with 13 points at Buena Vista. The sophomore went 12-for-16 from the field and made three 3s against Central and went 6-for-9 against Buena Vista.

5 — Just a sophomore, Janey Botkins is already in the top-10 of Simpson's career 3-point field goals made. Botkins is in sixth with 88 after passing Katie Kitzman (87 from 2008-10).

SERIES NOTES

Dubuque — Simpson and Dubuquel meet for the 77th time in a series that dates back to the 1980-81 season … Simpson leads the all-time series 66-10 … despite a blowout record, the Storm have three straight losses to the Spartans with the last two games losing by four points total … last out, the Spartans defeated the Storm in Dubuque back on Dec. 6, falling 88-86 … the Storm are 32-6 against Dubuque in Cowles Fieldhouse.

Nebraska Wesleyan — Simpson and Nebraska Wesleyan meet for the 15th time in a series that dates back to the 1983-84 season … Simpson leads the all-time series 12-2 with losses in 2015-16 in Sheboygan, Wis. (60-57) and at Nebraska Wesleyan (95-71) in 2016-17 … the Storm defeated the Prairie Wolves in Lincoln, Neb. 108-73 on Dec. 2, setting a school record for most points in a half (66) … the Storm are 3-0 against Nebraska Wesleyan in Cowles Fieldhouse.

SCOUTING OUT THE OPPONENTS

Dubuque — Led by 11th-year head coach Mark Noll, the Spartans enter Wednesday's game looking to snap their four-game losing streak and get revenge on the Storm. Dubuque (4-14, 2-7) lost to Nebraska Wesleyan 65-61 in Dubuque on Saturday, Jan. 20 despite a last attempt in the fourth quarter with 25 points. Lexi Daniels and Morgan Boer's combined 40 points scored 65.6 percent of the points on the night. Daniels averages 6.5 ppg while Boer averages 10.1. Dubuque's leading scorer, Abbey Meyer was held to eight points though she averages 15.1 ppg.

Nebraska Wesleyan — Led by first-year head coach Sam Dixon, the Prairie Wolves (12-6, 3-6) look at Wednesday's game against Luther to earn their second win after their close 65-61 win to Dubuque on Saturday, Jan. 20. Nebraska Wesleyan ranks 10th in the Division III and first in the Iowa conference in scoring offense, putting an average 79.7 points on the board despite only achieving that in twice in conference play. Last out, three players put up double figures against the Spartans- Caitlin Navratil (19), Macy Gustafson (11) and Mikenzie Delgado (10).Nebraska Wesleyan's Navratil ranks second in the conference with 17.5 ppg and rounds out her stats with 3.1 apg, 2.9 spg and 1.9 rpg.