Early run provides boost for Storm over Central

PELLA, Iowa -- A 15-2 run in the first five minutes of play helped the Simpson women's basketball team earn its 38th-straight victory over Central on Saturday in a 95-63 contest.

The Storm (15-5, 7-4 A-R-C) shot 50.7% overall and had four starters reach double figures with Jenna Taylor leading the way with 21 points and 10 rebounds for her second double-double of the year. Cameron Kincaid added 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Cassie Nash had 17 points and Claire Johnson tallied 13.

Simpson led 27-6 after the first quarter with seven different players scoring to hold a lead as large as 27-4. The offense shot 66.7% from the floor, while the defense forced six Dutch (12-10, 4-9 A-R-C) turnovers to hold them to a 15.8% shooting clip.

In the second stanza, the Storm maintained pace by outscoring Central, this time 22-10 to hold a 49-16 advantage at the half. At the break, Taylor had 12 points and Kincaid tallied 10.

Both teams were even in the third quarter as each squad scored 24 points. The Dutch exploded by hitting 60% of their shots, including four made triples. Central shot even better in the fourth by draining 64.3% to outscore Simpson, 23-22. The Storm pushed their lead to 41 points halfway through the final frame for their largest of the game on a 3-pointer from Alaira Tyus.

Simpson grabbed 41 rebounds for their most in three outings. This is the first time since Jan. 8 the offense had more than 20 assists in a contest.

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The Storm return home on Wednesday to host Coe at 5:30 p.m. The Kohawks won the previous matchup, 71-61, on Dec. 4, 2019.