Storm take care of business against North Central

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Fueled by a dominant first half, the Simpson College women's basketball team handled business against North Central (Minn.), earning an 84-44 win.

The Storm (2-2) built a commanding 51-14 halftime lead behind 47.6 percent shooting and suffocating defense that forced 21 turnovers. Molly Lutmer (16) and Haley Rasmussen (15) led four players in double-digit scoring as Simpson extended its lead to 45 in the second half.

GAME SUMMARY

• The opening five minutes was a 3-point contest as Simpson claimed a 9-6 lead with triples from Molly Lutmer and Morgan Pietig.
• The Storm closed out the quarter on a 16-2 run for a 25-8 advantage. Doryn Paup scored seven points during the span and Haley Rasmussen contributed five.
• Simpson dominated the second frame as well, outscoring the Rams (0-5) 26-6 while causing 14 turnovers. Rasmussen was 3-for-4 from the floor and 2-for-2 at the line.
• Lutmer, Maddax DeVault, Paup and Shaniah Temple combined for 18 of Simpson's 20 points in the third to push the Storm's lead to 71-32.
• A 10-2 run capped off by an Ava Leving's 3-pointer led to Simpson's largest lead of the game, 81-36, with 3:53 left in the fourth.

LEADERS OF THE STORM

• Molly Lutmer: 16 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals
• Haley Rasmussen: 15 points, 2 steals
• Maddax DeVault: 13 points, 3 steals
• Doryn Paup: 11 points, 8 rebounds
• Ella Anderson: 8 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
• Morgan Pietig: 3 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals

UP NEXT
Simpson returns home to start its American Rivers Conference schedule against Central on Tuesday night inside Cowles Fieldhouse.