DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Loras College women's basketball team fell at home to the Simpson College Storm on Saturday afternoon, 73-59, inside the Lillis Athletic and Wellness Center.
The Duhawks (6-12 Overall, 2-7 American Rivers Conference) started the first quarter hot from beyond the arc, going 4-of-6 in their first six attempts and jumped out to a four-point lead. The Storm (10-8, 6-3) were quickly able to reclaim momentum with a deep ball from Simpson's leading scorer Maddax DeVault. The Duhawks were able to keep the game close throughout the first quarter with threes made by Mila Van Weelden and Emma Webb and trailed by four (18-14) after one.
The Storm pulled away in the second quarter, outscoring the Duhawks 23-13 in the frame. Loras struggled to get going offensively in the first half, shooting 30 percent from the field. DeVault continued her hot shooting for the Storm, closing the half 5-of-7 from beyond the arc, and the Duhawks went into halftime down 14 (27-41).
The Storm kept the momentum going in the second half, and the Duhawks defenders were no match for 6'2 Simpson Freshman Keira McCormick, who contributed 20 points and eight boards for the Storm. The Duhawks were unable to sustain consistent scoring in the 3rd quarter, shooting 6-of-16 (37 percent) from the floor as the Storm went into the 4th quarter with a 15-point lead (58-43).
The 4th quarter featured a valiant effort from the Duhawks as they battled to get themselves back into the game. Claire Wagner was unstoppable in the paint, willing herself to a double-double. This burst of scoring from Wagner was not enough to close the lead for the Duhawks, however, as the Storm pulled out the victory 73-59.
The Duhawks were led by Wagner's season-high 25 points on 11-of-25 shooting and 10 rebounds. Ashtyn Kelderman also contributed 11 points while Kiah Davis added seven.
Simpson was led by DeVault who scored 23 points, on 5-of-10 shooting from deep while McCormick added 20 points off the bench.
Up Next: The Duhawks will take on the University of Dubuque Spartans on Wednesday, Jan 28th at home on Lillis Court. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30PM.
