Lutmer fuels second half comeback as Storm beat Blugolds

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – In a thrilling late-game comeback, Molly Lutmer hit the go-ahead jumper with five seconds remaining to propel the Simpson College women's basketball team to a 77-73 victory over Wis.-Eau Claire.

Lutmer poured in 16 of her 23 points in a dominant second half, leading Simpson (1-0) on a relentless 21-7 run to close the game.

The Storm won the first period 23-22 but had to mount a second half comeback after a strong second quarter by the Blugolds (0-1) had them ahead 46-36 at the break. Wis.-Eau Claire led by as many as 13 before Simpson rallied in the final 16 minutes.

GAME BREAKDOWN

• The Blugolds set the pace early as Reanna Hutchinson scored three of her game-high 30 points just eight seconds into the game.
• Haley Rasmussen answered with a three shortly after and the two teams went back and forth for the rest of the frame, which ended with Doryn Paup hitting a jump shot at the buzzer to put Simpson ahead 23-22.
• Wis.-Eau Claire scored the first seven points of the second quarter, but a six-point spurt from Ella Anderson pulled Simpson back within two, 31-29. The Blugolds regained momentum to close the half on a 15-7 spree, leading by 10 at the break.
• The hosts stretched their lead to 13 before Rasmussen and Molly Lutmer strung together 14 points to cut the Blugolds' lead to 61-54 going into the final 10 minutes.
• A 3-pointer by Lutmer with 6:46 left ignited another big run for the Storm, and Rasmussen gave Simpson its first lead since the first quarter with a triple with just over four minutes left.
• Another critical 3-pointer by Rasmussen followed by a free throw from Morgan Pietig gave Simpson a 73-71 edge, but Hutchinson leveled the score with 55 seconds to go.
• With overtime looming, Lutmer came up clutch for the Storm, nailing a jumper from the free throw line with five seconds left to put Simpson ahead. The Blugolds stepped out of bounds on their ensuing inbound play, and Karsen Jacks sealed the win with two made free throws.

STORM STANDOUTS

• Molly Lutmer: 23 points, 4 rebounds
• Haley Rasmussen: 14 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
• Ella Anderson: 12 points, 8 rebounds
• Karsen Jacks: 9 points, 7 rebounds
• Morgan Pietig: 6 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals

NOTES

• Simpson improves to 8-2 all-time against Wis.-Eau Claire.
• Simpson is now 27-11 in season openers under head coach Brian Niemuth.
• Molly Lutmer surpasses Cassie Chubb (119, 2016-20) for eighth all-time in career 3-pointers with 121. Haley Rasmussen remains in 10th position with 115 triples.

UP NEXT
Simpson takes on Wis.-La Crosse inside the Sonnentag Event Center tomorrow at noon.