December 28, 2004
Release courtesy of Matt Turk, Simpson College sports information director

INDIANOLA, IOWA . . . In a game which featured the second most combined points in school history, Simpson (8-1) defeated California Lutheran (2-4) 104-96 Dec. 28 in Thousand Oaks, Calif. The 200 combined points is second only to the 206 put up during Simpson’s 116-90 victory over Loras during the 1989-90 season.

The victory was career win #300 for Simpson head coach Brian Niemuth. In his 18th year, Niemuth is 300-148 (a .690 winning percentage). Niemuth is 44th in NCAA Division III history in wins and 45th in career winning percentage. Simpson led 52-49 at halftime and held a four-point advantage midway through the second half before the Storm mounted a 17-3 run to blow the game open. The Storm shot 58.2% (39-67) from the field and outrebounded the Regals 49-37.

Katelyn Whiton scored a career high 33 points, the most points in a game by a Storm player since Emily Tonn put up 32 against Buena Vista during the 1998-99 season. The 5-10 freshman from Panora (Perry H.S.) was 12-17 from the floor and 9-11 from the free throw line. Sarah Pearson charted a double-double with 16 points and a career high 12 rebounds. Carlie Beals played only nine minutes but scored 11 points (3-3 from three-point range). Heather Kay added 11 points. Ashly Bogaards posted eight points and nine rebounds.

Lauren Stroot led California Lutheran with 26 points. Mary Placido scored 25 points (6-11 from three-point range). Valerine Pina came off the bench to record 17 while Alex Mallen had 10.

The Storm continue the team’s California excursion with a game Dec. 31 at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.

-30-