Simpson holds on against Cornell

MT. VERNON, Iowa – Kate Nielsen finished a rebound away from her sixth double-double of the season and the Simpson women's basketball team controlled the second half in a 75-67 win over Cornell on Saturday afternoon.

Nielsen finished with 14 points and nine rebounds for the Storm (18-5, 11-3 Iowa Conference), who extended their winning streak to six games and remained atop the conference standings with two games left in the regular season.

Cathy Kain added 14 points and six rebounds and Chelsie Rohrs scored 14 on 3 of 7 shooting from 3-point range. Stacey Schutjer finished with nine points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Rikki Mulloy led all scorers with 24 points and Taylor Dicus brought down 11 rebounds for the Rams (8-13, 6-8).

A close game throughout, Simpson brought a 28-27 lead into the locker room at halftime. The Storm got a little breathing room by outscoring Cornell 10-3 to start the second half, leading 38-30 with 17 minutes left.

Cornell hung around, pulling as close as two after a 3-pointer by Kathryn Schilling made the score 45-43 with 12:19 left.

But the Storm pulled away down the stretch. After a 3 by Caitlin Bisinger made the score 58-55, Simpson went on a 7-0 run highlighted by an and-one from Nielsen.

The result gives Simpson head coach Brian Niemuth 299 career Iowa Conference wins. He will have an opportunity to become the first head women's basketball coach in the IIAC to reach 300 conference win when the Storm face Central in Pella on Wednesday, Feb. 15. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.