Second Half Surge - Top-ranked Mustangs remain unbeaten

JAMESTOWN, N.D. – A stalwart defensive effort that limited host University of Jamestown to tepid second-half numbers guided Morningside College Saturday, Dec. 14.

After the hosts used a barrage of three-point shooting to the tune of 57.1 percent (eight of 14) to open a 45-32 halftime advantage much to the delight of the partisan Jimmies' crowd inside Harold Newman Arena, head coach Jim Sykes' squad stepped up and proved ts recent number one ranking on the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' Division II poll. The University of Jamestown hit only one of nine treys and was nine of 33 overall (27.3 percent), while the Maroon picked up their offensive pace, scoring 32 of the first 43 points in the second 20 minutes. UJ crept back to within six (74-68) before the Mustangs closed out a 76-68 victory.

More balanced scoring proved key for Sykes' squad. Senior forward Tyler Borchers (SR/Le Mars, IA ) (LeMars, Iowa) led four players in double figures with 16 points to go along with eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Senior forward Ben Hoskins (SR/Wayne, NE ) (Wayne, Neb.) played a pivotal role off the bench, canning five three-pointers for 15 points with most of those makes occurring to keep Jamestown in range during the first half. Junior guard Zach Imig (JR/Gretna, NE ) (Gretna, Neb.) was next in line with 12 points and added four assists and six rebounds to his line, and junior center Trey Brown (JR/Gretna, NE ) (Gretna, Neb.) was another bench standout with 11 points and six rebounds.

The road win moved Mside to 11-0 overall and 7-0 in the league, a game ahead of co-second-place teams Dakota Wesleyan University and Mount Marty College. Morningside steps out of loop action for their next three contests beginning with a home game against Dakota State University Wednesday, Dec. 18. Tip-off is 8 p.m. at Allee Gymnasium inside the Rosen-Verdoorn Sports Center.