Fast start enables winning beginning to league schedule

SIOUX CITY, IOWA – Morningside University's patented Gretna connection of senior guard Zach Imig and senior center Trey Brown paid dividends once again Saturday, Nov. 13.

The two registered double-doubles to guide a starting five that all tallied double-figures in scoring in the 2021-22 Great Plains Athletic Conference opener. Due to that balance, Morningside scored 17 of the first 22 points against visiting Dakota Wesleyan University and didn't look back en route to a 74-57 victory on the home floor of the Allee Gymnasium of the Rosen-Verdoorn Sports Center. 

Imig's 16-point, 10-rebound, five-assist, two-steal late afternoon had some historical reference. It allowed him to pass former standout Tim West (1995-99) for eighth on the program's points list. Brown also shares residence on the all-time points annals added ten more to go with ten boards. 

Beyond those marks, junior guard Will Pottebaum (LeMars, Iowa) turned in a team-best 18 points and was near-perfect from the floor in doing so. He was seven-of-nine from the field overall, two of four from outside the arc, and two for two at the free-throw line. Sophomore guard Aidan Vanderloo (Sioux City, Iowa), while seeing his run of successive 20-points-or-more contests end, finished with 13, and freshman forward Justin Sitti added 10.

That collection of pluses was added to an impressive defensive effort. Head coach Trent Miller's team limited the usually deft-shooting DWU squad to less than 40 percent overall and from outside the arc.

Morningside continues a brief two-game home set Wednesday, Nov. 17. The Mustangs host Dordt University in an 8 p.m. tip-off.