The Storm (9-3 overall, 3-0 conference) shot 53.7 percent from the floor in the first half in sprinting to a 58-25 lead and hit 50.8 percent for the day. Central (1-9 overall, 1-2 conference) connected on 30.9 percent.
Dutch freshman guard Emily Conway scored a game-high 14 points while freshman forward Emily De Jong added nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Guard Laura Porter had seven points and four assists.
Simpson got 13 points and five assists from Heather Kay while Dana Johnson, Ashley Katch, Tessa Van Oosbree and Katelyn Whiton each scored 12. Simpson outrebounded Central 46-41 and forced 26 turnovers.
The game marked the return of center Ashley Nekola to the Central lineup. Nekola, one of last season’s top performers, spent the fall semester in Europe through the college’s Central Abroad program and began practice last week. She came off the bench Saturday to score six points and grab two rebounds in 21 minutes action.
Central heads to Waverly Tuesday for an Iowa Conference women’s-men’s doubleheader at Wartburg College at 6 p.m.