Storm roll past Central, clinch IIAC Tournament berth

INDIANOLA, Iowa -- One year after missing the conference tournament for the first time ever, the Simpson women's basketball team is back in the postseason.

The quartet of Noreen Morrow, Claire Johnson, Victoria Hazard and Janey Botkins scored 11 points apiece and Simpson's defense created 26 turnovers as the Storm beat Central 86-58 on Wednesday. The win assured Simpson a spot in the six-team IIAC Tournament that begins Feb. 20.

Morrow finished with a team-high seven rebounds and Botkins became just the fifth player in school history to reach 100 career 3-pointers, going 3-for-4 on the night. Simpson (13-10, 7-7) outscored Central 44-12 in the paint and held a 31-3 advantage in points off turnovers.

The Storm trailed by three early but went on a 12-0 run to take control of the game and it was smooth sailing from there.

Morrow made a short jumper to start the run, then Jenna Taylor knocked down a 3. Morrow connected on another jumper, Johnson converted a breakaway layup and Kali Rasmussen hit a 3 for a 14-5 lead.

The run stretched to 18-3 at one point and Central couldn't get closer than six the rest of the way as Simpson won for the 34th straight time in the series.

Emily Dine had 15 points on 5-for-10 shooting from beyond the arc to lead the Dutch (7-15, 2-11), who lost their 11th game in a row.

Cameron Kincaid and Maddie Simmons scored eight points apiece for the Storm.

Up Next
Simpson is off Saturday and returns to action next Wednesday, Feb. 14 at Loras.

Key Players
Noreen Morrow -- 11 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks
Claire Johnson -- 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal
Janey Botkins -- 11 points, 3 rebounds, 4 steals, 3-4 3-pointers
Victoria Hazard -- 11 points, 4 assists, 2 steals