Sports briefs: Taylor passes 1,000, SWCC basketball take two from Iowa Western

Creston alumni Taylor eclipses 1,000, named AOTW

Former Creston girls basketball standout Jenna Taylor crossed the 1,000-point marker Saturday, scoring 16 in a 78-68 win for the Simpson Storm over Coe College.

Taylor is the 17th player to join the 1,000 point club at Simpson College. She also grabbed 10 rebounds in the win, earning a double-double.

Earlier in the week, Taylor scored 30 points in the Storm’s 40-point victory over Nebraska Wesleyan while collecting eight rebounds.

The effort helped earn her Athlete of The Week from the American Rivers Conference for the week of Jan. 1, her fifth honor from the conference.

Stewart’s success continuing at Peru State

Mount Ayr alumni and 2020 South Central Iowa Female Athlete of The Year Sam Stewart has steadily put up modest numbers in her freshman season and is now over 100 points for Peru State College basketball.

Since the turn of the New Year, Stewart has seen limited time after a Jan. 4 game against Bellevue where she scored 18 points on 9 of 15 shooting. She had two points against Park Jan. 20, and six in back-to-back games against Grand View and Clarke.

In December, she went on a run of double-digit scoring with 10 points against Mid-America Nazarene, a career-high 20 points against Mount Mercy, 10 points against Clarke and 18 points against Graceland.

Her 18-point game against Graceland was complemented by 10 rebounds, her first double-double in her college career.

As of Monday, she is shooting 50.9% from the field.

Baker, Tucker lead SWCC to win

Creston alumni Brielle Baker had a career day for Southwestern Saturday, scoring 28 on 10 of 19 shooting in SWCC’s 70-67 win over Iowa Central.

The Spartans, leading by six at halftime, held off the Tritons for their second ICCAC conference win of the season to improve to 3-1.

Baker also grabbed five rebounds and had one steal and one assist in the win.

Kaylynn Tucker was also instrumental in the win over Iowa Central, scoring 21 points on 7-for-15 shooting. She had eight rebounds, six assists and four steals.

The win for the Spartans puts them back in the win column after a 100-44 loss to Iowa Western Wednesday night.

Baker led in scoring with 12 against the Reivers.

Spartan men take down another ranked opponent

Southwestern got a big win at home Saturday, beating NJCAA Div. I No. 14 Iowa Central 95-89.

The Spartans, holding a one-point lead at the half at 44-43, extended and held on for a win to even themselves at 2-2 in both season and conference play.

Leading in scoring for the Spartans was Qushawn Wells with 21 points off the bench.

Donzell Johnson and James Kelley scored 17 points each. Justin Graham led in rebounds with seven.

The win is the second against a ranked foe, the first coming against No. 4 Indian Hills (60-56) to open the season.

Wednesday night, before the win over Iowa Central, the SWCC men lost to Iowa Western 78-73.

Southwestern trailed by 15 at the half and made it close at the end, but could not overcome a Reivers team that is receiving votes.

Kelley led in scoring for the Panthers with 17 points, going 4 of 10 from the field with eight free throws. The Spartans shot a collective 38.6% from the field.

Iowa Lakes edge SWCC in fifth set

Southwestern volleyball won its first sets of the season Thursday, but were unable to complete a rally against Iowa Western in a 3-2 set loss.

SWCC dropped the first two sets 13-25 before rallying back with 25-21 and 25-17 set wins. Forcing a fifth set, a first-to-15 race started and the Spartans were just short in a 12-15 set loss.

The Spartans were led in kills by Brooke Halterman and Karisa Nietzer. Leading in assists was Creston alumni MaKenna Hudson, who also had 15 digs.

Leading in the digs department was Kennedy Jordon with 19. Deniz Tuncer had 18 digs and seven kills.

East Union alumni Olivia Cheers had three kills, seven digs and one solo block. Creston alumni Emma Hanson had three kills and five digs.