The Simpson women’s basketball team stayed undefeated on the season as they took down rival Central in the American Rivers Conference tournament semifinal game 75-61 as heard live on KNIAKRLS.com.

Central got off to an early 3-0 lead in the first quarter, but that would be the only time the Dutch were out in front as the Storm quickly went on a run to take a lead they would not relinquish. Simpson led 23-13 after the first, and 38-25 at the halftime break, but Central refused to go away going on several runs to get the lead down to 10 multiple times, but were unable to get any closer as Simpson pulled away building a lead as high as 23 in the second half. Simpson women’s basketball assistant coach Moran Lonning tells KNIA Sports she thought her squad did a good job of taking advantage of opportunities that were presented.

“It felt like every time we went on a run Central would answer with a three. It slows us back down, but to me it felt like it was a little slower but we were still sprinting the floor really hard and girls who were sprinting down were getting rewarded. We were getting kick outs ahead even on a made basket and we were able to get an easy layup and get back into our press. So even if we are slowing it down in the halfcourt, I like that we were still sprinting it down the floor.”

The win extends the streak for Simpson women’s basketball over Central to 40 games, dating back to 2003. Cassie Nash led Simpson with 20 points, while Jenna Taylor had a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds Kelsea Hurley led Central with 13 points. Central ends their season with a 6-4 record, while Simpson will not match up with Coe in the ARC Tournament Championship Game on Saturday evening.