Storm take down conference-leader Coe

 Postgame Interview - Head Coach Brian Niemuth
 Postgame Interview - Senior Stacey Schutjer

INDIANOLA, Iowa - A gutsy first-half performance from Stacey Schutjer and spot-on 3-point shooting propelled the Simpson women's basketball team to a decisive 93-66 win over conference front-runner Coe on Wednesday night at Cowles Fieldhouse.

Schutjer, who was out due to a concussion the first time the teams met this year, notched 17 of her 21 points in the first half. She finished shooting 10 of 14 from the field.

"Not being able to play the first time and then having them [Coe] in first place in the conference, we definitely wanted to make a statement tonight, and we did that," Schutjer said.

A second half, 3-point shooting frenzy in which the Storm (15-5, 8-3 Iowa Conference) tallied eight 3-pointers aided Simpson to a 26-12 run in the first six minutes of the period.

"A lot of teams are packing it in trying to take Stacey out of the game," head coach Brian Neimuth said. "That opens up our 3-point shooting and we're capable of doing it. We haven't done it every game, but we have some very good shooters and tonight they all knocked them down."

Simpson started the second half by going 6-for-6 from beyond the arc. Ashley Rogers, Jamie Elbert, Kelsie Reeves, Nicole Crisp and Jess Fraser all had their hand on two 3-pointers. Kate Nielson added 13 points and eight rebounds.

Caitlin Kray had 13 points and nine rebounds for the Kohawks (15-5, 9-3), who now find themselves tied for first in the IIAC with Wartburg and Loras. Kayla Waskow had 13 and three assists.

Simpson led at halftime 36-28, but a slew of 3-pointers and 3-point plays pushed the lead to 32 with 8 minutes left in the second half.

The Storm, who haven't been beaten at home since Coe came to Simpson last year, extended their winning streak to 11 games at Cowles Fieldhouse while snapping a three-game skid in the series with Coe.

"We're getting better," Niemuth said. "We're starting to peak at the right time. Our last three games we've played well and gotten better each game, so this is a group that I think can do great things."

The Storm travel to Decorah on Saturday to take on Luther. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.