WBB Preview: Season opener on docket for Storm women
INDIANOLA, Iowa -- Originally set to take on North Central (Minn.) on Wednesday, the Simpson College women's basketball team will now remain in Iowa to compete at Loras. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
The Storm (0-0, 0-0 A-R-C) and Duhawks (2-1, 0-0 A-R-C) will participate in a nonconference bout, which will serve as the season opener for Simpson. Loras already has two wins under its belt, coming against Dubuque and Concordia (Wis.).
Fans can click on the links below for live statistics and video.
GAME 1
Simpson (0-0, 0-0 A-R-C) at Loras (2-1, 0-0 A-R-C)
Wednesday, Jan. 20 | 5:30 p.m.
Lillis Court | Dubuque, Iowa
Live Video | Live Stats
LORAS ATTENDANCE POLICY
"Two individuals per each participant (student-athlete/coach/staff member) will be permitted to attend basketball, volleyball, and wrestling home events. Spectators must check in at the registration tables located at each entrance. Seating for spectators will be designated. Physical distancing and face coverings will be required, according to campus policy. Spectators must be seated with family members only."
Click HERE for the full release from Loras Athletics.
LORAS SERIES NOTES
The Storm and Duhawks gear up for the 76th meeting in the series, while Loras has won the last five matchups ... as the No. 12-ranked team in the nation during the last meeting, the Duhawks used a 9-4 run late in the fourth quarter to win 76-72 over Simpson ... three players scored in double figures for the Storm, Jenna Taylor, Kia Rasmussen and Cassie Nash.
RECENT RESULTS
Feb. 1, 2020 — L, 76-72 (Dubuque)
Dec. 7, 2019 — L, 85-80 (Indianola)
Feb. 2, 2019 — L, 94-79 (Dubuque)
Jan. 2, 2019 — L, 76-67 (Indianola)
Feb. 14, 2018 — L, 86-69 (Dubuque)
ABOUT THE DUHAWKS
Loras and 14th-year head coach Justin Heinzen come into the matchup with a 2-1 record ... the Duhawks were selected to finish second in the American Rivers Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll after making the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in 2019-20 ... through three contests, the offense is leading the conference in scoring average (82.3), 3-point percentage (33.0) and turnover margin (11.33) ... sophomore Cierra Bachmann is pacing the offense with 18.3 points per game on a 44.4% shooting clip, while sophomore Madison Haslow and junior Jaime Ryan follow as the other double-digit scorers for Heinzen.
LAST TIME OUT
Simpson reached the A-R-C Tournament for the third straight season last winter, but lost the opening round matchup at Coe … the Kohawks overcame a seven-point deficit in the fourth quarter to force the game into overtime to prevail, 72-69 … Jenna Taylor led the way by scoring 18 points coming off the bench for the Storm.
THE COACH
Head coach Brian Niemuth returns for his 34th season at the helm of the program for Simpson ... Niemuth collected his 600th career victory on Dec. 21, 2019 in a 76-69 win over Millikin ... at the time of his 600th career win, Niemuth was the ninth active women's basketball head coach in NCAA Division III to obtain that mark ... during his tenure, Niemuth has won 11 conference championships and appeared in the NCAA Tournament 11 times while reaching the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 on three occasions.
A-R-C PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
Wartburg tallied top honors after winning its fourth-straight league championship last season, followed by Loras in second ... the Duhawks reached the NCAA Division III Tournament Sweet 16 for the first time in school history before the 2019-20 campaign was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic ... the Storm are selected to tie with Coe for third, Central was fifth and Luther, Dubuque, Nebraska Wesleyan and Buena Vista fill the final four slots, respectively.
STORM NOTES
• Simpson in the national rankings at the end of the 2019-20 season:
2nd — 3-point shooting (37.7%)
3rd — field goal percentage (46.6%)
4th — scoring offense (81.1 ppg)
13th — free throw percentage (75.7%)
14th — 3-pointers made per game (9.0)
17th — 3-pointers made (235)
22nd — assists per game (16.5)
24th — total points (2,108)
29th — steals (327)
• Storm in the national rankings at the end of the 2019-20 season:
Kia Rasmussen — second in 3-point percentage (48.4%)
UP NEXT
A-R-C competition begins this Saturday when Simpson travels to Luther for a 5:30 p.m. contest.
