Mustangs can’t shake Midland in regular-season finale, fall in close-knit battle

SIOUX CITY, IOWA – Senior guard Zach Imig (Gretna, Neb.) managed his fifth successive double-figure scoring outing with a third double-double in the same span. Still, it wasn't enough to send Morningside University to victory Saturday, Feb. 19.

Imig, posting 14 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, kept the home-standing Mustangs close to visiting Midland University throughout during the Senior Day 2022 clash inside Allee Gymnasium of the Rosen-Verdoorn Sports Center. He was joined by sophomore guard Aidan Vanderloo (Sioux City, Iowa), who tallied 22 points, his fifth 20-points-plus game of the year, while fellow senior Collin Hill (Jewell, Iowa) turned in 11 points, four rebounds, an assist, and a steal.

Midland used a 15-0 run in the midway stages of the first half to set an early tone. Mside responded, regaining the lead, but Warriors freshman guard Ryan Larsen drained a pair of three-pointers late in the opening frame to give them an eight-point halftime advantage. The Mustangs surged back to tie it at 72 in the final three minutes, but Larsen drilled another trey to allow the visitors to move towards a 79-75 triumph. 

Head coach Trent Miller's squad (14-11) takes the No. 7 seed into the 2022 Great Plains Athletic Conference tournament quarterfinals Wednesday, Feb. 23. They travel to Concordia University for a 7 p.m. start.