DECORAH, Iowa - The Simpson women's basketball team cut a 16-point halftime deficit to five in the second half but couldn't complete the comeback, losing to UW-River Falls 79-73 at Regents Center on Friday night.

Sparked by eight 3-pointers and nearly 50 percent shooting in the first half, River Falls built a 48-32 lead at halftime.

Simpson picked up the defensive pressure in the second half, mounting a 12-2 run in the opening three minutes.   Stacey Schutjer's 3-pointer with a minute left cut the lead to 74-69, but River Falls hit 5 of 6 free throws down the stretch - and 16 of 18 in the second half - to secure the win.

Schutjer scored a game-high 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Storm (1-1). Nicole Crisp added 18 points and went 4-for-8 from beyond the arc.

Alise Holst led the way with 21 points for the Falcons (2-0). Maranda Dohrn chipped in with an 11-point, 12-rebound double-double.

The Storm close play at the Luther Invitational on Saturday when they face Bethany Lutheran at 1 p.m.