Nielsen, Storm out-muscle Thomas More 79-66

 Postgame interview with Kate Nielsen (courtesy of D3hoops.com)

LAS VEGAS - Kate Nielsen (Urbandale, Iowa) finished off a great tournament with a 21-point, 14-rebound effort and the Simpson women's basketball team closed the D3hoops.com Classic 2-0 after a 79-66 win over Thomas More on Friday.

With starting post and returning All-American Stacey Schutjer (Titonka, Iowa) sidelined early in the contest with an injury, Nielsen picked up the slack for the Storm (9-3), who controlled the glass with 56 rebounds, including 28 on offense. The junior also handed out a team-high four assists and went 7-for-8 from the free throw line.

Ali Sokol (Urbandale, Iowa) scored 20 points and Chelsie Rohrs (Granville, Iowa) added 19 as each hit three 3-pointers.

Kelli Dixon scored a team-high 20 points for the Saints (8-3).

A close game throughout, Simpson held a five point lead with just over six minutes left in the game before mounting a 14-2 run, putting the game out of reach.

Simpson started the tournament with a 94-70 win over Eurkea on Thursday, when Nielsen led the team with 15 points.

The Storm return to action Jan. 4 when they face Coe in a matchup of last years Iowa Conference co-champions. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. at Coe's Eby Fieldhouse.