Storm continues in NCAA Tournament

March 7, 2008

No. 9/10 Simpson College (26-2) survived a scare from Gustavus Adolphus (18-10) as the Storm defeated the Gusties 73-64 in the first round of the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Tournament March 7 in Indianola. Despite missing 16 of its first 22 shots, Simpson forced 15 turnovers and held Gustavus to only seven field goals in the first half. The Storm took a 34-17 lead into halftime.

The Storm led 39-21 with 17:39 to go in the game before the Gusties mounted a 15-2 run that got Gustavus to 40-36 with 12:20 remaining. Simpson pushed the back to nine, 46-37 a little over two minutes later. The Gusties again closed, this time to within two, 48-46 when Brianna Radtke hit a three pointer at the 8:17 mark.

A pair of Whitney Franker baskets put the Storm up by six, but Gustavus made it 52-50 on a pair of Molly Mathiowetz free throws with just under seven to go. Simpson scored the next seven points and charted a 13-2 rally that gave the Storm a 65-52 advantage with 3:30 to go. A Jess Vadnais three-pointer got the Gusties to as close as they would get, 73-64 with 13 seconds left.

Gustavus Adolphus made 19-of-35 field goal attempts in the second half (54.3%) while the Storm went 50 percent from the field (14-of-28). The Gusties outrebounded the Storm 24-13 in the second half and held a 10-rebound advantage for the game (48-38). Simpson used its size to get to the free throw line often, but the Storm could only must a 57.6 percent (19-of-33) performance from the charity stripe. Gustavus was 7-of-12 from the free throw line.

Katelyn Whiton led all scorers for the Storm as she tallied 23. She also led the Storm with six rebounds. Maria Oliver scored 12 of her 13 points in the first half for the Storm. Franker added 10. Jess Vadnais led the Gusties with 17 points. Three players; Katie Layman, Brianna Radtke, and Emily Nelson scored 11 for Gustavus. Radtke also added a game high 10 rebounds.

Simpson advances to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and will play No. 21/23 UW-Eau Claire Saturday night. The Blugolds were a 61-52 winners over Carleton in the first game Friday night.

NOTES: Whiton, and Vadnais were among the 40 finalists for the 2008 State Farm Coaches’ All-American Basketball Team that was announced Friday night…This is the third straight year Simpson has advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. This was the first time that the teams have played one another in women’s basketball.


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Storm survive first round March 7, 2008 No. 9/10 Simpson College (26-2) survived a scare from Gustavus Adolphus (18-10) as the Storm defeated the Gusties 73-64 in the first round of the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Tournament March 7 in Indianola. Despite missing 16 of its first 22 shots, Simpson forced 15 turnovers and held Gustavus to only seven field goals in the first half. The Storm took a 34-17 lead into halftime. The Storm led 39-21 with 17:39 to go in the game before the Gusties mounted a 15-2 run that got Gustavus to 40-36 with 12:20 remaining. Simpson pushed the back to nine, 46-37 a little over two minutes later. The Gusties again closed, this time to within two, 48-46 when Brianna Radtke hit a three pointer at the 8:17 mark. A pair of Whitney Franker baskets put the Storm up by six, but Gustavus made it 52-50 on a pair of Molly Mathiowetz free throws with just under seven to go. Simpson scored the next seven points and charted a 13-2 rally that gave the Storm a 65-52 advantage with 3:30 to go. A Jess Vadnais three-pointer got the Gusties to as close as they would get, 73-64 with 13 seconds left. Gustavus Adolphus made 19-of-35 field goal attempts in the second half (54.3%) while the Storm went 50 percent from the field (14-of-28). The Gusties outrebounded the Storm 24-13 in the second half and held a 10-rebound advantage for the game (48-38). Simpson used its size to get to the free throw line often, but the Storm could only must a 57.6 percent (19-of-33) performance from the charity stripe. Gustavus was 7-of-12 from the free throw line. Katelyn Whiton led all scorers for the Storm as she tallied 23. She also led the Storm with six rebounds. Maria Oliver scored 12 of her 13 points in the first half for the Storm. Franker added 10. Jess Vadnais led the Gusties with 17 points. Three players; Katie Layman, Brianna Radtke, and Emily Nelson scored 11 for Gustavus. Radtke also added a game high 10 rebounds. Simpson advances to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and will play No. 21/23 UW-Eau Claire Saturday night. The Blugolds were a 61-52 winners over Carleton in the first game Friday night. NOTES: Whiton, and Vadnais were among the 40 finalists for the 2008 State Farm Coaches’ All-American Basketball Team that was announced Friday night…This is the third straight year Simpson has advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. This was the first time that the teams have played one another in women’s basketball.
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