Storm cruises against non-conference foe Bethel

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - Stacey Schutjer led Simpson with 19 points and five blocked shots as the No. 23 Storm rolled to a 69-37 win against Bethel at the Robertson Center Saturday afternoon.

The Storm (7-1, 2-0 IIAC) trailed only once in the contest, as an Amy Werner layup gave Bethel a 2-0 lead to open the game. After another Werner layup tied the game at 4-4, Simpson went on a 15-5 run over the next seven minutes to open up a 19-9 lead.

Simpson built a 41-21 halftime lead, as a menacing defensive effort forced 23-of-35 turnovers in the first 20 minutes. For the game, Simpson held the Royals (0-6) to 26.3 percent shooting from the field.

Katie Kitzman added 12 poitns off 5-of-7 shooting and Ali Sokol came off the bench to score 10. Schutjer and Emily Smith headed the effort on the boards, as each pulled down seven.

Kristi Nye led Bethel with nine points and Shana Grejtak's eight rebounds were tops on the team.

Simpson played its final game of 2009 in the Midwest Saturday, as the squad's next action will come from the 2009 Surf N' Slam Hoop Classic in Sand Diego, Dec. 28-30. Simpson opens the tournament against the host, Point Loma Nazarene, at 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 28. Capital, Bridgewater and Washington & Lee are the other programs attending the tournament.