SHEBOYGAN, Wis. – The Simpson women’s basketball team opened up the season going 1-1 at the Lakeland Muskie Tip-Off Tournament this weekend, falling 60-57 to Nebraska Wesleyan before rebounding with a 77-58 win against host Lakeland. 

Friday, Nov. 13 vs. Nebraska Wesleyan – L, 60-57

The Storm (1-1) lost by three to the Prairie Wolves but the one-possession deficit was looking to be a lot greater heading into the final frame.

Simpson trailed 48-33 at the start of the fourth but rallied to go on a 24-12 run, falling just shy of completing the comeback. 

Senior Mackenzie Haupt had a chance to tie the game up with a three-point field goal in the final possession but her shot was off the mark. 

Despite missing her last shot, Haupt was on fire in the fourth, scoring eight points on 2 of 4 from behind the arc. 

The outcome would have looked a lot different if Nebraska Wesleyan hadn’t gone 5 of 6 from three to create a 25-10 lead after the first quarter.

Courtney Cook was Simpson’s kryptonite, notching an impressive 20 point, 13 rebound double-double, complimented by four steals and two blocks.

Simpson’s Top Performers:

Maddie Bosworth – 13 points, 5-7 FG

Noreen Morrow – 9 points, 7 rebounds

Saturday, Nov. 14 vs. Lakeland College – W, 77-58

The consolation game against host Lakeland was never in question for Simpson, who after trailing 2-0 with 8:38 in the first quarter, responded to take the lead and never relinquish it. 

Simpson led by as many as 21 points, outscoring the Muskies (0-2) 43-28 in the first half to earn its first win of the year. 

Morrow put together her first career double-double, scoring 15 points while nabbing 12 rebounds to lead a Storm offense that had three players in double-figures in points. 

Rust from the free-throw line is often an issue early in the year, but not on Saturday as Simpson hit 19 of 21 free throws.

In many of Simpson’s losses in the 2014-15 season, opposing teams dominated on the boards. The Storm didn’t let that happen against Lakeland, outrebounding them 48-39. 

Kayla Clark played 38 minutes for Lakeland, scoring a team-high 15 points on 5 of 12 shooting.

Simpson’s Top Performers:

Maddie Bosworth – 15 points

Britney Boland – 13 points, 7 rebounds

Whitney Van Wyk – 9 rebounds, two assists and two steals 

Tournament Champions:

Carthage College defeated Nebraska Wesleyan in the championship game of the four-team tournament to earn the Lakeland Muskie Tip-Off Classic title.

Coming Up:

Simpson will head to St. Peter, Minn. to take on UW-River Falls in game one of the Gustavus Tip-Off Tournament on Friday, Nov. 20.