ST. PETER, Minn. – Free throws are often what makes the difference in tight games, and this contest was no different.

The Simpson women’s basketball team (1-3), dropped their second straight game at the Gustavus Classic to the University of Wisconsin-Stout, 83-75.

The Blue Devils took advantage of 32 free throw attempts, sinking 24 of them (75%), while the Storm shot just 9-20 (45%) from the charity stripe.

The Storm’s largest lead of the game, seven points, came at 5:44 mark in the first quarter, before a potent UW-Stout attack exploded for 27 points in the second quarter, taking the lead for good.            

Seniors Maddie Bosworth and Mackenzie Haupt each led Simpson with 13 points apiece, while Morgan Mauro pitched in with 11. Britney Boland led the Storm with seven rebounds and Annie Gullickson paced the team with five assists.

UW-Stout junior Jenna Goldsmith led all players with 23 points and 12 rebounds, recording her first double-double of the season in the process.

Simpson shot 30-69 from the field (43.5%) and 6-20 from deep (30%) while holding the Blue Devils to a 27-69 (39.1%) shooting performance and just 5-18 (27.8%) from three.

The Storm return to play Nov 27 against Iowa Wesleyan for the Simpson Classic. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.