INDIANOLA, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras women's basketball team completed the season sweep of Simpson on Wednesday, defeating the Storm on their home court, 80-63. Senior
Terese McMahon powered her way to a 22-point night and was joined by four of her teammates who finished with 10 or more points. The Duhawks ran their winning streak to six and improved to 6-4 in the Iowa Conference.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
First Quarter
- Loras jumped out to a 12-3 lead to start, led by its uptempo style, creating chances on the run.
- Part of Simpson's game plan was to find Noreen Morrow at the low post, but Loras' defensive positioning created a total of 14 turnovers in the first half.
- Trailing 12-3, Simpson started on a 10-2 run and as a result, cut the deficit to four by the end of the quarter at 20-16.
Second Quarter
- Continuing off the first quarter trend, both teams continued with the outside shooting, totaling 11 3-pointers in the first half, including five in the second quarter.
- Junior Lauren Stanich knocked down a pair of 3-pointers to sandwich a Duhawk turnover, and in the process, opened a 39-31 lead with 3:10 to play
- The Storm went without a field goal over the last 4:58 of the second quarter.
- Loras recorded 11 assists on its 15 first half baskets and turned 14 Simpson turnovers into 14 points.
- As a team, the Duhawks shot 53.8 percent from the floor in the second quarter, extending the four-point lead to 10 heading into halftime.
Third Quarter
- From the 4:58 mark of the second quarter until the 5:01 mark of the third quarter, Loras took what was a close game and opened a 19-point lead on the legs of a 21-4 run.
- During that run, the Duhawks were 8-of-15 from the floor and forced nine Storm turnovers.
- Simpson responded with a 16-6 run of its own, highlighted by a trio of 3-pointers and helped by four turnovers by Loras.
Fourth Quarter
- The Duhawks took their 11-point lead entering the fourth quarter and strengthened their grip on the game with a 13-2 run over the first five minutes.
- At the 6:01 mark, Hutchins picked off one of her five passes and took it to the rim for the bucket. The junior finished with 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting.
- Down the stretch, leading by 18, Hutchins' steal and layup with 1:49 left gave the Duhawks a 20-point lead at 78-58.
- Loras' final points came with 21 seconds to play as junior Kate Moriarty collected the offensive rebound and put back her shot attempt, sending the Duhawks to their sixth-straigth win, 80-63.
NOTABLES
- Wednesday marked the third win for Loras inside Cowles Fieldhouse since the 2004-05 season
- Four of the six wins during the Duhawks' streak have been by double-digits, including each of the last three
- In Wednesday's win, Loras had five scorers reach double-digits for the first time this season. Previously, the Duhawks' had four players reach double-digits in four other games
FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME
Terese McMahon | The senior was consistent in both halves, scoring 10 in the first and 12 in the second on her way to her second 20-point game of the season.Â
SOUNDBITES | Terese McMahon & Cyerra Hutchins
UP NEXT
Loras is off on Saturday and begins preparations for next Wednesday's home game against Wartburg. The Knights defeated Coe on Wednesday, 83-51, improving to 17-2 this season. Tip-off from Lillis Court is scheduled for 6 p.m.
