WBB Preview: Simpson returns to hardwood at Central

INDIANOLA, Iowa -- Simpson looks to continue their 37-game winning streak against Central at 2 p.m. on Saturday for a road matchup in Pella.

The Storm (15-5, 7-4 A-R-C) failed to complete an upset over No. 12 Loras on Saturday, falling 76-72 to the Duhawks. The Dutch (12-9, 4-8 A-R-C) won 76-56 against Dubuque to get back in the win column after falling to Wartburg in the previous outing.

Fans can access the video stream via the American Rivers application on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Android TV or by visiting SimpsonAthletics.com to find the video link.

GAME 21
Simpson (15-5, 7-4 A-R-C) at Central (12-9, 4-8 A-R-C)
Saturday, Feb. 8 | 2 p.m.
P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium | Pella, Iowa
Live Video/Stats | Live Audio

LISTEN TO THE STORM
The team of Andrew Swadner and Rick Wilson will have the call on 94.3 FM and 1320 AM or online at kniakrls.com. Fans can also download the KNIA app, available on iTunes and Google Play. Pregame coverage begins at 1:45 p.m.

CENTRAL SERIES NOTES
The Storm and Dutch gear up for the 93rd meeting in the series, with Simpson earning its 37th-straight win over Central in the last outing on Jan. 11 ... Simpson competed in its latest game against the Dutch during its 11-game winning streak, which went in favor of Simpson, 72-59 inside Cowles Fieldhouse ... Jenna Taylor, during her first home game of the season, scored 10 points with 10 rebounds as four starters ended in double figures against Central.

RECENT RESULTS
Jan. 11, 2020 — W, 72-59 (Indianola)
Feb. 13, 2019 — W, 92-71 (Indianola)
Jan. 16, 2019 — W, 61-48 (Pella)
Feb. 7, 2018 — W, 86-58 (Indianola)
Jan. 17, 2018 — W, 89-74 (Pella)

ABOUT THE DUTCH
Central and third-year head coach Joe Steinkamp are looking to end a 37-game drought against the Storm ... the Dutch currently sit sixth in the A-R-C with four conference wins ... Central leads the conference in field-goal percentage defense, allowing only 36.1% of its opponent's shots to fall ... Kendall Brown and Kelsea Hurley both pace Central in scoring, averaging 13.0 ppg apiece.

LAST TIME OUT
Simpson tried to get back into the win column last Saturday, after snapping its 11-game winning streak, but fell, 76-72, on the road to Loras ... the Storm shot their lowest 3-point percentage in a game since shooting 27% at Buena Vista on Jan. 15, 2020 ... Simpson held a 37-32 advantage after the second quarter but the Duhawks rallied with seven made 3-pointers in the third to take control ... the Storm reclaimed the lead with six minutes to go in the final frame, but Loras recovered to maintain the lead to pull off the victory ... Jenna Taylor led the team with 16 points on 7 of 14 shooting.

A-R-C STANDINGS
The American Rivers Conference now has two teams tied for first in the standings with Loras and Wartburg at the top ... Simpson remains tied in fourth with Coe as both squads have four losses ... Central comes in at sixth at 4-8 and Nebraska Wesleyan follows in seventh at 3-9, then Dubuque and Buena Vista round out the eighth and ninth spots, respectively.

STORM NOTES
• Simpson in the national rankings:

1st — 3-point shooting (40.4%) 
5th — field goal percentage (47.2%)
6th — scoring offense (81.1 ppg)
11th — 3-pointers made (188), 3-pointers made per game (9.4)
12th — total points (1,662) 
16th — assists per game (17.1)
20th — assists (342)
26th — steals (252)
28th — free throw percentage (74.4%)
30th — scoring margin (16.3)

• Storm in the national rankings:

Kia Rasmussen — first in 3-point percentage (52.2%)
Cassie Chubb — sixth in 3-point percentage (45.5%), 16th in 3-pointers made per game (2.95), 24th in 3-pointers made (56)
Cameron Kincaid — 17th in free throw percentage (86.7%)
Claire Johnson — 28th in assists (97), 31st in assists per game (4.9)

• Simpson is second in the conference in field goal percentage at 47.2% and third in scoring offense by averaging 81.1 ppg.
• All five starters are averaging double figures for scoring with Cassie Chubb at the top with 13.3 ppg. Kia Rasmussen is second at 11.8, followed by Cassie Nash (11.3), Cameron Kincaid (10.9), and Claire Johnson rounds out the starters at 10.3.
• Simpson snapped its winning streak of 11 games on Jan. 29 for its longest since winning 13 in a row during the 2012-13 season.
• Head coach Brian Niemuth earned his 600th career victory on Dec. 21 in a 76-69 victory over Millikin. Niemuth became the ninth active women's basketball head coach in the NCAA Division III to hit the 600-win plateau.

UP NEXT
Simpson returns to Cowles Fieldhouse on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 5:30 p.m. for a contest against Coe.