DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - Following a disappointing setback in their midweek game, the Duhawks will be looking to end the regular season on a high-note and build momentum heading into the Iowa Conference Tournament.

ABOUT SIMSPON
Simpson welcomes the Duhawks to Cowles Fieldhouse looking to lock up the fifth seed in the tournament. After a loss to Coe on Wednesday. The Storm have already tied up a slot in the conference tournament but, Saturday determines where they will travel.

Junior Mackenzie Haupt acts as the lone Storm player to average doubl-digit scoring, pouring in 10.7 points per game. Joining Haupt as one of the Storms top forces is sophomore Brittany Hedrick. As the main director of the offense, Hedrick averages a team-best 2.6 assists per game. While Hedrick's main role is facilitator, she scores 9.0 points per game. Sophomore Britney Boland paces Simspon on the glass, pulling down 5.3 rebounds per game. A balanced team, the Storm has several option of the bench.

To close out their regular season schedule with a win, the Duhawks' bench will have to outwork their counterparts. As for those starting the game on the floor, they will be charged with keeping Haupt and Hedrick in check.

MAY'S CAREER-HIGH NOT ENOUGH IN PELLA
The Duhawks dropped in Iowa Conference game to the Central Dutch in midweek action. Senior Victoria May continued her dominance inside, catching fire by way of a career-high 29 points and 10 rebounds. Unfortunately, her efforts weren't enough to overcome the early miscues and late potent shooting by the Dutch.

MAY'S CAREER HIGH NOT ENOUGH IN PELLA
The Duhawks dropped in Iowa Conference game to the Central Dutch in midweek action. Senior Victoria May continued her dominance inside, catching fire by way of a career-high 29 points and 10 rebounds. Unfortunately, her efforts weren't enough to overcome the early miscues and late potent shooting by the Dutch.

LORAS SECURES FOURTH SEED IN CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
With Wednesday's loss to Central, the Duhawks secured the fourth seed in the Iowa Conference tournament, set to take place next week. In terms of seeding the Duhawks will be behind Coe, Dubuque, and Luther with seeding of the three to be determined on Saturday. As the fourth seed, Loras will host an opening round game Tuesday with there opponent still up in the air as Wartburg and Simpson duke it out for the fifth seed.

MAY SAVING HER BEST FOR LAST
Senior Victoria May has gained steam in the final week of regular season play. Beginning with a dominating effort on senior day, May has torched opposing defense in the paint. The Port Byron, Illinois native is averaging 25.0 points in her last two contests.

DUHAWKS EYE MOMENTUM IN REGULAR SEASON FINALE
Traveling to Indianola, Iowa on Saturday to close out the regular season, the Duhawks are looking for more than a conference win over the Storm. In fact, Loras looks to bounce back from Wednesday's sloppy loss and gain momentum for the postseason. Interesting to note, there is a chance that the Duhawks square off against the Storm in back-to-back games. That is, if the Storm lock up the fifth seed, the Duhawks will host Simpson on Saturday.

VALUING POSSESSIONS KEY FOR LORAS DOWN THE STRETCH
Wednesday's loss marked the eighth time this year the Loras College Women's Basketball team has commited 20 or more turnovers. Five of the eight have come in Iowa Conference play. Tightening up on ball security is crucial as the Duhawks look to repeat on last year's success.

FAMILIARITY: A DOUBLE EDGED SWORD
With the turning of the calendar, the Duhawks welcome a second go at conference foes in February. Finishing January with a 5-3 record, the Duhawks look to take advantage of the familiarity of opponents. Of Loras' three losses, all three have come against the top two teams in the conference. The Duhawks are set to finish regular season play with hopes of avenging an early loss to the Kohawks on February 14. While Loras hopes to use familiarity to an advantage, the Duhawks will have to execute their game plan to keep opponents from doing the same.

With Wednesday's loss to Central, the Duhawks secured the fourth seed in the Iowa Conference tournament, set to take place next week. In terms of seeding the Duhawks will be behind Coe, Dubuque, and Luther with seeding of the three to be determined on Saturday. As the fourth seed, Loras will host an opening round game Tuesday with there opponent still up in the air as Wartburg and Simpson duke it out for the fifth seed.

PHILLIPS HEADLINES D3HOOPS TEAM OF THE WEEK
Hours after garnering Iowa Conference honors, Loras College Women's Basketball junior point guard Kaitlin Phillips earned a spot on the D3hoops Team of The Week on Tuesday, February 10. Phillips becomes the second Duhawk to receive national team of the week honors. Freshman safety Maurice Young earned a spot on the D3 Football Team this past fall. It marks the first time since Lindsey Bava earned the honor in 2009 that a women's basketball player has been named to the team.

BENCH CONTRIBUTIONS KEY TO DUHAWKS' SUCCESS
Paced by freshman Miranda Chapman and sophomore Terese McMahon, the play of the Duhawks bench has been a vital piece to the team's success. Loras holds a 9-2 record when their bench outscores their opponents. While Chapman provides depth at the guard position, McMahon rounds out the three-headed monster in the post alongside sophomore Lori Obendorf and senior Victoria May.

LORAS PICKED TO FINISH SECOND IN IOWA CONFERENCE COACHES POLL
The Duhawks were voted second, receiving two first place votes. Finishing just ahead of Loras (48) was Simpson College with 54 points. While Coe College rounded out the top three with 42 points, receiving one first place vote. Loras' roster is filled with talent, some of which is unproven with the loss of three key seniors. Simpson earns the first place slot for the second straight year after finishing 14-12 last season.

DUHAWKS LOSE LORAS' TOP SENIOR CLASS
Over the course of her career Katie Langmeier etched her name in Loras history as one of the best in program history. Fueling the Duhawks to their best season in over a decade, Langmeier was named to the D3Hoops All-West Region Second team after being named Iowa Conference Most Valuable Player and Co-Defensive Player of the Year. In addition to Langmeier, the Duhawks lose Lauren Byrne and Katie Wheeler. Byrne's leadership combined with her contributions on the floor (6.0 pts, 3.8 rebounds). In Wheeler, Loras loses leadership and grit. Together the three make up the winningest class in Loras Women's Basketball history, with 66 wins over their four-year careers.

ALL-CONFERENCE TRIO PRIMED FOR SEASON
Senior Victoria May returns for her senior season after posting career-highs across the board as a junior. As the team's most efficient shooter, boasting a team-best .539 field goal percentage.Junior Kaitlin Phillips was second to only Langmeier in points per game last season (12.2) while she led the Duhawks in free throws (72), three-pointers (34). Sophomore Kat Cabrera looks to build upon last year's breakout season. As a freshman Cabrera averaged 6.8 points and 3.0 rebounds. She led the team with 72 assists while also shooting a team-best 84.7% from the free throw line.

HEINZEN BEGINS EIGHTH SEASON WITH THE DUHAWKS
Justin Heinzen will embark on his eighth season as the head coach of the Duhawks after leading his team to a 19-9 record, the best under his tenure, in 2013-14. The stellar season by his squad earned Heinzen Iowa Conference Coach of the Year honors and moved him into the lead for wins in the program's history. He enters the season with a 112-76 record.