Simpson grinds out 63-56 win in A-R-C opener

PELLA, Iowa – Haley Rasmussen scored 21 points to lead the Simpson College women's basketball team in a gritty 63-56 American Rivers Conference victory over Central on Tuesday.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Simpson (2-2, 1-0 A-R-C) led 21-14 at the end of the first quarter after a buzzer-beating triple by Rasmussen, but Central (2-2, 0-1 A-R-C) managed to claim a 24-23 lead midway through the second after starting the period on a 10-2 run.
• A couple of 3-pointers from Molly Lutmer and Rasmussen put the Storm back in front, and the visitors carried a 33-28 advantage into the locker room.
• Rasmussen was the lead scorer again for the Storm in the third quarter, knocking down two of her five triples to keep Simpson ahead by two with 10 minutes to go.
• In the fourth quarter, Doryn Paup and Dylan Holland combined for 10 points to give Simpson its largest lead of the night, 59-48, with 4:43 remaining. Elle Street delivered the final blow with a 3-pointer a few minutes later and the Storm were able to run out the clock for the win.

STORM STANDOUTS

• Haley Rasmussen - 21 points (5-8 3FG), 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists
• Dylan Holland - 8 points, 6 rebounds
• Elle Street - 6 points, 6 rebounds
• Molly Lutmer - 8 points, 3 assists
• Doryn Paup - 6 points, 6 rebounds
• Shaniah Temple - 4 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals

NOTES

• Simpson improves to 33-9 all-time in conference openers.
• The Storm have won 44 consecutive games over the Dutch dating back to Jan. 11, 2003.

UP NEXT
Simpson will face Wis.-La Crosse and Wis.-River Falls at the La Crosse Classic over the weekend.