Storm can’t keep pace with hot-shooting Spartans

INDIANOLA, Iowa – The Simpson College women's basketball team struggled to keep up with Dubuque's hot shooting and fell in American Rivers Conference play for the first time this season, 78-63.

The Spartans (5-2, 2-1 A-R-C) shot nearly 50.0 percent both from the floor and behind the arc, missing just seven field goals in 24 attempts throughout the second half. Dubuque also dominated the glass by a 44-31 margin and scored 23 second chance points on 14 offensive boards.

GAME SUMMARY

• The Storm (4-4, 2-1 A-R-C) scored on their first five possessions and built a 15-5 lead with 87.5 percent shooting from the floor. Haley Rasmussen and Elle Street each had four points, while Molly Lutmer added a 3-point bucket.
• After the hot start, Simpson's offense went cold and the Spartans rallied to tie the game at 24-24 before claiming a 29-28 halftime lead. Dubuque took advantage of 19 second chance points in the first half, including 12 in the second period.
• The Spartans outscored Simpson 49-35 in the second half, shooting a blistering 70.8 percent from the field while not allowing the Storm to build any momentum. Tabria Thomas, who finished with a game-high 26 points, scored 17 between the third and fourth quarters. She was 5-for-5 from the field and 7-for-7 at the stripe during that span.

TOP STORM

• Haley Rasmussen: 25 points, 4 assists, 3 steals
• Molly Lutmer: 11 points, 3 steals
• Dylan Holland: 7 points, 6 rebounds
• Elle Street: 7 rebounds, 6 points, 4 assists, 3 steals
• Cassie Nash: 6 points, 4 assists, 4 steals, 3 rebounds

NOTES

• Dubuque picks up just its 11th win in the 88-game series that dates back to 1980-81.
• Simpson has had a 20-point scorer in five straight contests.
• The Spartans hand the Sotrm their first home loss of the year and snap a five-game win streak in conference play.
• With her four steals, Cassie Nash reached 300 career takeaways. She also surpassed 300 career assists in today's contest, moving into sixth all-time with 302 total. 

UP NEXT
The Storm will return to action a week from today at No. 7/12 Wartburg. The Knights are currently 7-0 overall and 3-0 in conference play.