Mustangs rebound for Cornerstone Classic consolation title

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. – Sophomore guard Aidan Vanderloo continued an impressive string of scoring outputs to lead National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics No. 12-ranked Morningside University Friday and Saturday, Nov. 5 and 6.

The Sioux City native went for back-to-back 20-point-plus totals in games against Olivet Nazarene University of Illinois and Graceland University of Iowa at the Cornerstone University Classic. Those two outings moved the streak to four in a row dating back to the last game of 2020-21.

Against ONU in the Mustangs tourney opener, he went nine-of-16 from the field, which included two treys en route to 23 points. His final three-ball attempt nearly completed a furious comeback for head coach Trent Miller's team. Trailing by 15 in the second half, Mside whittled away at the deficit and had possession in the final 10 seconds, but Vanderloo's three-point attempt was off the mark. Despite an 87-83 loss, sophomore guard Joey Skoff (Bellevue, Neb.), senior center Trey Brown (Gretna, Neb.), and senior guard Zach Imig (Gretna, Neb.) also turned in impressive evenings on the Mol Arena floor. Skoff came off the bench to tally 15 points and seven rebounds; Brown went for 18 points and nine rebounds; and Imig finished with 10 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and four assists. 

Morningside answered with a 74-70 win over fellow Iowa NAIA school Graceland University Nov. 6. The consolation championship win, moving the Mustangs to 2-1, saw another balanced attack. Vanderloo scored 20 due mainly to four three-pointers; Brown was tough in the paint on offense and defense, compiling a 13-point, nine-rebound, three-blocked shot contest; and Imig closed in on a potential triple-double again with 10 points, nine assists, and five rebounds.

Miller's squad returns home to tip off the 2021-22 Great Plains Athletic Conference season Saturday, Nov. 13. Dakota Wesleyan University visits the Allee Gymnasium of the Rosen-Verdoorn Sports Center for a 3:45 p.m. start.