Simpson women start 2011 on high note

MOUNT VERNON - Mindy Hutchcroft scored 15 points and Simpson extended its winning streak to nine with an 80-54 win against Cornell on Wednesday night.

The Storm (10-3, 4-0 IIAC) took advantage of another strong first-half performance, racing to a 50-27 lead at intermission. This season, Simpson is outscoring opponents 554-352 in the opening 20 minutes.

Hutchcroft led the attack for Simpson, going 5-for-9 from the field while knocking down three 3-pointers in only 16 minutes of action.

Camille Marie-Lidd scored nine points and pulled down nine rebounds for the Rams (6-5, 1-3 IIAC).

Kathy Cain got all 12 of her points from beyond the arc coming off the bench, pacing another strong performance by the Simpson reserves, who outscored Cornell's 44-29.

Defensively, point guards Kelsie Reeves and Darrina Bledsoe gave Cornell fits, snatching five steals apiece. Kate Nielsen cleaned the glass with 10 rebounds, tying a season-high.

After losing three-of-four to open the season, the Storm are winning by an average of 31 points during their current winning streak.

Simpson will try to make it 10-straight wins next Wednesday, Jan. 12, when it hosts Central in a 6 p.m. tipoff at Cowles Fieldhouse.