Simpson defeats Coe, moves atop IIAC standings

INDIANOLA, Iowa - Stacey Schutjer scored a game-high 23 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and blocked three shots as Simpson defeated Coe, 80-73 Saturday afternoon at Cowles Fieldhouse.

The win gives the Storm (12-3, 5-1 IIAC) sole possession of first place in the Iowa Conference standings and extends its home winning streak against conference foes to 23 games.

Schutjer, a sophomore from Titonka, Iowa, made 9-of-14 shot attempts on the day and also came away wtih four steals. Katie Kitzman was the only other player in double-figures for the Storm with 12 points, followed by Emily Smith's eight-point, seven-rebound effort.

Kayla Waskow paced the effort for the Kohawks (10-6, 5-2) with 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting. Leslie Ware added 13 points.

Simpson never trailed in the contest, but withstood a furious second-half rally from Coe.

After taking a 40-28 lead into the locker room at halftime, Simpson's lead grew to 19 on a three-pointer from Jessica Fraser just over five minutes into the second frame.

From there, Coe sustained a 31-16 run over the next 11 minutes, coming within four points after Kayla Lincoln's three-ball with three minutes left made the score 73-69.

Kitzman answered with a three of her own on the next possession, as she scored the Storm's final seven points in securing the victory.

The team's next test comes Monday night in Decorah against Luther (7-8, 2-4 IIAC). The doubleheader begins with the women's game tipping off at 6 p.m.