News Release

Indianola, Iowa — Luther took a two-game lead in the Iowa Conference standings as the Norse (15-4, 10-1 IIAC) defeated No. 22/24 Simpson (16-4, 8-3 IIAC) 61-55 to sweep the season series from the Storm Jan. 27 in Indianola. After making 10 of its first 11 shots Friday night against Central, Simpson missed nine of its first 10 attempts against Luther and quickly went down by double digits in the first half. The Norse limited the Storm to eight first half field goals (8-for-32, 32%) to take a 42-27 halftime lead.

Simpson mounted a comeback in the second half. Trailing 53-42 with 11:26 remaining, the Storm held Luther without a field goal for the next 7:02 to cut the lead to 53-49. The Norse pushed the lead to eight, 57-49 with 3:49 to go, but the Storm got it down to 57-53 with 1:03 remaining. Simpson missed its next two field goal attempts, forcing the Storm to foul Jill Eicher. She made two free throws with 28 seconds left to give Luther a 59-53 lead. Katelyn Whiton made a pair of free throws with 14 seconds to go for the final Simpson points as Christina Gaard made two free throw attempts with 12 seconds to go for the final 61-55.

Blair Ernst led Luther with a double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds. Gaard had 12 while Amanda Dahlsent scored 10. The Storm, which held Luther to 35% shooting (7-of-20) in the second half were led by Carlie Beals who scored 14 points. Luther outrebounded Simpson 40-29, and forced 20 Storm turnovers. It is the first time since the 1997-98 season, Luther has defeated Simpson in Indianola.

At Indianola, IA (Cowles Fieldhouse)
LUTHER COLLEGE 61, SIMPSON COLLEGE 55

LUTHER COLLEGE (15-4, 10-1 IIAC)
ERNST, Blair 6-13 4-5 16; GAARD, Christina 3-8 6-6 12; DAHLSENG, Amanda 4-4 2-3 10; FURLONG, Marci 4-4 0-0 8; TEKIPPE, Ashley 3-8 0-3 6; O'BRIEN, Melissa 1-4 2-3 4; DUNNWALD,Danielle 1-4 0-0 3; EICHER, Jill 0-1 2-2 2; MILLER, Jackie 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 22-49 16-22 61.

SIMPSON COLLEGE (16-4, 8-3 IIAC)
BEALS, Carlie 5-11 0-0 14; LARSON, Carrie 3-6 3-3 9; WHITON, Katelyn 3-10 3-5 9; MONTAGUE, Laura 2-2 1-2 5; KATCH, Ashley 1-8 2-2 4; VAN OOSBREE, Tessa 0-5 4-4 4; FISCHBACH, Jayna 1-1 2-2 4; FRANKER, Whitney 2-8 0-2 4; SMITH, Emily 0-0 2-2 2; KUBERSKI, Jemi 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 17-52 17-22 55.

Luther College................   42   19  -   61
Simpson College...............   27   28  -   55

3-point goals-Luther College 1-6 (DUNNWALD,Danielle 1-2; O'BRIEN, Melissa 0-2; MILLER, Jackie 0-2), Simpson College 4-12 (BEALS, Carlie 4-6; LARSON,Carrie 0-1; VAN OOSBREE, Tessa 0-3; FRANKER, Whitney 0-1; KUBERSKI, Jemi0-1). Fouled out--Luther College-None, Simpson College-None. Rebounds-Luther College 40 (ERNST, Blair 13), Simpson College 29 (KATCH, Ashley 12).

Assists-Luther College 12 (ERNST, Blair 6), Simpson College 12 (MONTAGUE, Laura 3; FRANKER, Whitney 3). Total fouls-Luther College 17, Simpson College 18. A-350