Top 10 NAIA Division II match-up goes to wire

MITCHELL, S.D. – A late first-half run by host Dakota Wesleyan University turned out to be the make-or-break point of a Great Plains Athletic Conference contest Saturday, Feb. 8.

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' Division II top-ranked Morningside College was overtaken by the host and NAIA D2 No. 10-ranked Tigers with an 18-6 stretch from the 7:13 to 1:31 marks. Even with the run in mind, head coach Jim Sykes' squad didn't make things easy on their hosts or the crowd gathered inside the World's Only and Famous Corn Palace, though.

The Mustangs steadily reeled in their conference foes and eventually found themselves down just one after senior guard Alex Borchers (SR/South Sioux City, NE ) (South Sioux City, Neb.) nailed a three-pointer in front of the Maroon bench with eight seconds left. Morningside had two more possessions after that but, in each case, DWU, after hitting two free throws, fouled them before a potential game-tying three-pointer could be launched to hang on for a 78-75 decision.

Four Maroon players finished in scoring double figures. Senior center Tyler Borchers (SR/Le Mars, IA ) (LeMars, Iowa) led the way with 19 points, while junior forward Zach Imig (JR/Gretna, NE ) (Gretna, Neb.) had another jack of all trades outing with 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals; junior center Trey Brown (JR/Gretna, NE ) (Gretna, Neb.) concluded a remarkable 45-point, 18-rebound with 13 and six boards; and Alex Borchers ended with 10 points.

Morningside (24-2 overall, 16-2 GPAC) closes its home regular-season schedule Saturday, Feb. 15. The University of Jamestown comes to Allee Gymnasium and the Rosen-Verdoorn Sports Center for a 4 p.m. tip-off which is headlined by Senior Day 2020 festivities.