Storm cruise past UW-Eau Claire

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EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Kate Nielsen scored 19 points, Nicole Crisp scored 15 and the Simpson women's basketball team avenged last year's NCAA Tournament loss with a 70-52 win over UW-Eau Claire at the UW-Eau Claire Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday.

Simpson shot nearly 60 percent from the field while holding Eau Claire to less than 37 percent in a re-match of last year's first round NCAA Tournament game in Chicago, which Eau Claire won 69-61.

Nielsen helped out the team's shooting percentage by going a perfect 9-for-9 from the field for the Storm (2-0). Crisp scored 10 of her 15 in a first-half that saw Simpson shoot just under 70 percent from the field in building a 42-21 lead at the break.

Courtney Lewis scored 18 points and grabbed six rebounds to lead the Blugolds (1-1).

Simpson led from wire-to-wire and used a 15-0 run midway through the first half to open up a 31-13 lead. Eau Claire never threatened in the second half as Simpson extended its lead to as much as 25.

Freshman Brooke Panzer chipped in with eight points and pulled down a team-high eight rebounds.

Simpson opens its home schedule Tuesday, Nov. 20 when AIB College of Business visits Cowles Fieldhouse for a 7 p.m. start.