The victory was career win #300 for Simpson head coach Brian Niemuth. In his 18th year, Niemuth is 300-148 (a .690 winning percentage). Niemuth is 44th in NCAA Division III history in wins and 45th in career winning percentage. Simpson led 52-49 at halftime and held a four-point advantage midway through the second half before the Storm mounted a 17-3 run to blow the game open. The Storm shot 58.2% (39-67) from the field and outrebounded the Regals 49-37.
Katelyn Whiton scored a career high 33 points, the most points in a game by a Storm player since Emily Tonn put up 32 against Buena Vista during the 1998-99 season. The 5-10 freshman from Panora (Perry H.S.) was 12-17 from the floor and 9-11 from the free throw line. Sarah Pearson charted a double-double with 16 points and a career high 12 rebounds. Carlie Beals played only nine minutes but scored 11 points (3-3 from three-point range). Heather Kay added 11 points. Ashly Bogaards posted eight points and nine rebounds.
Lauren Stroot led California Lutheran with 26 points. Mary Placido scored 25 points (6-11 from three-point range). Valerine Pina came off the bench to record 17 while Alex Mallen had 10.
The Storm continue the team’s California excursion with a game Dec. 31 at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.
SIMPSON COLLEGE 104 CALIF. LUTHERAN UNIV. 96 SIMPSON COLLEGE (8-1) WHITON, Katelyn 12-17 9-11 33; PEARSON, Sarah 7-12 2-4 16; BEALS, Carlie 3-3 2-2 11; KAY, Heather 4-8 3-3 11; DENOON, Kara 2-3 4-4 8; BOGAARDS, Ashley 4-7 0-0 8; PROSTINE, Kristi 3-7 1-3 7; HANSEN, Ashley 3-6 0-0 6; VAN OOSBREE, Tessa 0-0 2-2 2; JOHNSON, Dana 1-2 0-0 2; SCHULTZ, Jessica 0-2 0-0 0; WOODARD, Kenie 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 39-67 23-29 104. CALIF. LUTHERAN UNIV. (2-4) STROOT, Lauren 10-26 6-12 26; PLACIDO, Mary 8-15 3-3 25; PINA, Valerie 7-8 3-3 17; MALLEN, Alex 5-9 0-0 10; NEILL, Allison 3-9 1-2 7;SVENNUNGSEN, Katy 2-5 2-4 6; NELSON, Stephanie 1-4 1-2 3; BROWN, Brusta 1-5 0-0 2; BEDDOW, Caroline 0-0 0-0 0; BARRAZA, Kristie 0-4 0-0 0; Tiffany Shim 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 37-85 16-26 96. Simpson College..........52 52 - 104 Calif. Lutheran Univ.....49 47 - 96 3-point goals-Simpson College 3-7 (BEALS, Carlie 3-3; KAY, Heather 0-1; PROSTINE, Kristi 0-2; SCHULTZ, Jessica 0-1), Calif. Lutheran Univ. 6-17 (PLACIDO, Mary 6-11; MALLEN, Alex 0-1; BROWN, Brusta 0-2; BARRAZA, Kristie 0-3). Fouled out--Simpson College-None, Calif. Lutheran Univ.-MALLEN, Alex. Rebounds-Simpson College 49 (PEARSON, Sarah 12), Calif. Lutheran Univ. 37 (NEILL, Allison 8). Assists-Simpson College 17 (PROSTINE, Kristi 4), Calif. Lutheran Univ. 19 (MALLEN, Alex 8). Total fouls-Simpson College 21, Calif. Lutheran Univ. 23. A-100