Pickin’ The Corn – Mustangs battle to critical league road triumph

MITCHELL, S.D. – As Morningside University's games continue to get bigger and bigger to close out the 2021-22 regular season and the postseason approaches, senior forward Zach Imig is turning up the intensity.

Imig, averaging better than 12 points and seven rebounds to go along with sparkling averages of 4.5 assists and nearly four steals over the last six contests, registered a second double-double in his previous four outings to lead the Mustangs to a 73-65 Great Plains Athletic Conference win Wednesday, Feb. 16. His game resume included scoring six points, grabbing an offensive rebound, and dishing off an assist in the final five minutes of action at the Corn Palace, part of a 14-12 edge to lock up the decision. 

Imig had plenty of help from the visitor's bench. Sophomore forward/center Ely Doble (Gretna, Neb.) went for a single-game career-high 22 points to go with eight rebounds; sophomore guard Aidan Vanderloo (Sioux City, Iowa) turned in 16 points; and junior guard Trey Powers (Omaha, Neb.) finished with 12 points.

Morningside, moving to 14-10 overall and 11-8 in the conference, moved into a tie with Dordt University for fifth on the loop standings with one game to go. The Mustangs host Midland University Saturday, Feb. 19, as part of 2022 Senior Day festivities. Game time is 3:45 p.m. at Allee Gymnasium of the Rosen-Verdoorn Sports Center.