DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Elmhurst women's basketball team opened the two-day Loras College Christmas Classic with a 92-57 loss to the Simpson College.
 
Elmhurst (5-6) struggled in the second and third quarters, allowing Simpson (9-2) to blow the game open.

Elmhurst led briefly in the opening quarter at 9-7 before Simpson ripped off an 11-0 run to open up an 18-9 lead. The Bluejays pulled to within two points before trailing 27-21 at the end of the first quarter. Simpson outscored Elmhurst 28-17 in the second quarter to carry a 55-38 lead into the locker room at halftime.
 
The Storm scored the first 17 points of the third quarter to open up a commanding 72-38 lead. The Storm outscored Elmhurst 26-11 in the third and led 81-49 after three quarters before cruising to the 35-point win.
 
Simpson shot 54.1 percent (33-of-61) from the field in the win, including 41.7 percent (10-of-24) from downtown.  Cameron Kincaid and Jenna Taylor combined to score 40 points, finishing with 20 apiece. Cassie Chubb added 12 points and eight rebounds while Janey Botkins scored11.
 
Elmhurst shot 40.7 percent (24-of-59) from the floor, including 31.6 percent (6-of-19) from beyond the arc. Elmhurst turned the ball over 23 times resulting in 32 points for Simpson.
 
Lisa Logan led the Bluejays in the loss, finishing with 13 points. Emmy Gryna added nine points while Courtney O'Donnell and Julia Madrid scored six points apiece.
Elmhurst plays Loras College tomorrow (December 29).