Methodical Mustangs - Morningside continues unbeaten start
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hastings (5-3, 1-2) | 35 | 42 | 77 |
|
Morningside (7-0, 3-0) | 49 | 46 | 95 |
SIOUX CITY, IOWA – A top-notch field goal shooting evening and more balanced points distribution from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' Division II No. 4-ranked Morningside College led to a Great Plains Athletic Conference victory Saturday, Nov. 23.
Head coach Jim Sykes crew, improving to 7-0 overall and 3-0 in the league, hit at a high-flying 58.6 percent clip which included 11 three-pointers and committed only nine turnovers in route to a 95-77 win over visiting Hastings College. The Broncos made it anything but easy on the two-time defending conference champions, keeping the Maroon within range throughout a good share of the first 20 minutes. It wasn't until a 16-4 stretch that closed the opening half that Morningside fans could breathe somewhat easier with a 49-35 halftime advantage.
The margin continued to grow in the second half. Mside led by as much as 27 before Hastings pieced together a late rally to close the final verdict inside of 20 points. Senior center Tyler Borchers (SR/Le Mars, IA ) (LeMars, Iowa), with a few rim-thumping dunks thrown in for good measure much to the delight of the home crowd, led the points chart with 20 and was only a rebound short of a double-double. Junior guard Zach Imig (JR/Gretna, NE ) (Gretna, Neb.) continued to be one of the main assist contributors with seven to go along with 18 points and four steals, and senior guard Alex Borchers (SR/South Sioux City, NE ) (South Sioux City, Neb.) finished with 16 points, four assists, two steals, and four rebounds. Freshman guard Will Pottebaum (FR/LeMars, IA) (LeMars, Iowa) and senior forward Trystan Cummins (SR/Ankeny, IA ) (Ankeny, Iowa) were just outside of double figures with nine points apiece. Pottebaum's outing included a perfect three-of-three performance from outside the arc.
The Mustangs conclude their pre-Thanksgiving schedule Tuesday, Nov. 26. The Concordia University of Nebraska comes to town for a 6 p.m. women's and 8 p.m. men's doubleheader.