Storm pull away from Dubuque down the stretch

INDIANOLA, Iowa - Ali Sokol (Urbandale, Iowa) scored a game-high 16 points and Simpson overcame a poor shooting performance from beyond the arc Saturday, beting Dubuque 82-71 at Cowles Fieldhouse.

Despite going only 4-for-21 from 3-point range on the night, the Storm (10-4, 3-2 Iowa Conference) got clutch 3s from Chelsie Rohrs (Granville, Iowa) and Kelsie Reeves (Des Moines, Iowa) as part of a second half rally that put the game away.

Kayla Springer scored 16 points and grabbed five rebounds to lead the Spartans (5-8, 0-4), who stayed within striking distance for 35 minutes.

Simpson's rally started at the midway point of the second half. After an Ashley Barwick free throw cut Simpson's lead to 50-49, the Storm mounted a 16-5 run that was capped by nine unanswered points, including back-to-back 3s from Rohrs and Reeves.

The lead increased to 66-54 after the run and Dubuque couldn't get closer than eight in the final four minutes.  

Kate Nielsen (Urbandale, Iowa) scored 13 points and pulled down eight rebounds, Reeves added 13 points and Cathy Kain (Des Moines, Iowa) went for eight points and eight boards off the bench.

Saturday's result improves Simpson's winning streak against the Spartans to 17 and keeps the Storm a perfect 5-0 at Cowles Fieldhouse.

The Storm go on the road next Wednesday, Jan. 11 to face Buena Vista in a 6 p.m. tipoff. The Beavers (8-5, 3-1) suffered their first conference loss of the season on Saturday, falling to previously winless Luther 64-57 in Decorah.