The Storm chipped away at the lead, getting to within to 13 with just over eight minutes to go on a Carrie Larson three-pointer. A Katelyn Whiton field goal lowered the Loras lead to 11, 7:01 to go. The Duhawks called timeout which resulted in a Alicia Miller score. Emily Smith rebounded a Larson miss to make it an 11-point game. Loras was called for an offensive foul the next time down, turning the ball over to Simpson.
Whiton’s field goal cut the lead to nine with 5:13 to go.
Ashley Katch appeared to have blocked Miller’s shot on the ensuing Loras possession, but was called for a foul. She made 1-of-2 free throws to increase the lead to 10. Katch scored cutting the Duhawks’ lead to 60-52. The Storm got a stop on the defensive end, but could not convert. Loras called timeout with 4:06 remaining. The Storm were called for a touch foul, sending Jackie Sears to the line for a 1-n-1 attempt. She missed, but Loras got the offensive rebound which resulted in a Natalie Pucci field goal.
Whiton made a mid-range jumper to cut it to 62-54. Tessa Van Oosbree blocked Pucci on the defensive end which resulted in a Storm offensive possession. Simpson worked the ball around to Van Oosbree who made a three-point field goal, giving the Duhawks a five-point lead with 2:30 to go. Loras called timeout. The set play worked as Natalie Bennett made a five-footer. Whitney Franker quickly scored, again making it a five-point Loras advantage. Simpson forced a turnover which resulted in Whiton making short jumper, creating a 64-61 game. Meyer was fouled on Loras’ next possession. She converted both free throws for 66-61 Loras lead.
Simpson missed their next field goal attempt, Loras rebounded the ball. Simpson played for the stop on the defensive end, but Pucci was fouled. She sank both of her attempts with 46 seconds to go for a 68-61 Duhawk lead.
Simpson went for a quick field goal attempt, but were turned away. The Storm fouled Bennett who made both of her free throws for a 70-61 Loras lead. Simpson turned th ball over. The Storm fouled Pucci who made two more free throws for a 72-61 margin. Another Storm miss resulted in another foul, sending Lindsay Bava to the charity stripe. She missed both attempts. Franker scored with four seconds remaining and was fouled. She made the free throw for the final 72-64 margin.
Simpson limited Loras to 31.8% shooting in the second half (7-of-22) while making 50% of its second half attempts (18-of-36). Pucci led all scorers with 22 points. Bennett and Meyer each scored 11 while Miller had 10. Franker led the Storm with 15 points. Van Oosbree scored 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Whiton scored 12 points.
At Dubuque, IA (Loras Fieldhouse) LORAS COLLEGE 72, SIMPSON COLLEGE 64 SIMPSON COLLEGE (21-6) FRANKER, Whitney 6-13 3-4 15; VAN OOSBREE, Tessa 5-8 1-2 13; WHITON, Katelyn 6-13 0-0 12; KATCH, Ashley 4-9 0-0 8; LARSON, Carrie 2-5 2-3 7; SMITH, Emily 2-3 0-1 4; FISCHBACH, Jayna 1-4 1-2 3; BEALS, Carlie 1-10 0-0 2; KUBERSKI, Jemi 0-0 0-0 0; MONTAGUE, Laura 0-6 0-2 0. Totals 27-71 7-14 64. LORAS COLLEGE (17-9) PUCCI, Natalie 6-10 6-6 22; MEYER, Mindy 4-6 3-4 11; BENNETT, Blair 4-11 2-2 11; MILLER, Alicia 4-7 2-4 10; SEARS, Jackie 2-3 0-1 6; BAVA, Lindsay 2-2 0-2 5; SAEGER, Anita 2-2 0-0 4; WILSON, Sarah 1-3 0-0 3; KROOT, Nicole 0-0 0-0 0; REILLY, Megan 0-0 0-0 0; HOMEWOOD, Kady 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-44 13-19 72. Simpson College............... 21 43 - 64 Loras College................. 43 29 - 72 3-point goals-Simpson College 3-14 (VAN OOSBREE, Tessa 2-2; LARSON, Carrie 1-2; BEALS, Carlie 0-5; MONTAGUE, Laura 0-1; FRANKER, Whitney 0-4), Loras College 9-14 (PUCCI, Natalie 4-5; SEARS, Jackie 2-2; WILSON, Sarah 1-1; BAVA, Lindsay 1-1; BENNETT, Blair 1-5). Fouled out--Simpson College-None, Loras College-None. Rebounds-Simpson College 35 (KATCH, Ashley 5; FISCHBACH, Jayna 5), Loras College 37 (MEYER, Mindy 10). Assists-Simpson College 12 (KATCH, Ashley 4), Loras College 20 (BENNETT, Blair 6). Total fouls-Simpson College 16, Loras College 16. A-525 Iowa Conference Tournament Semifinals