Morningside downs Dordt

SIOUX CITY, IOWA – Call it a home court advantage, or maybe the magic of Allee Gym. Whatever you call it, it was in full effect today as Morningside's men's basketball team overcame an early first half deficit to defeat the Dordt Defenders 85-80.

The Mustangs, playing their first opponent receiving votes or better in the national coaches poll, trailed by as many as six in the first five minutes of play. By the beginning of the second half they'd flip that to a nine-point lead. 

Morningside capitalized on Defender turnovers, scoring 16 points off turnovers, to help secure the lead. The Mustangs forced 16 turnovers, while coughing up the ball only eight times for two points.

Joey Skoff came in clutch for Morningside putting up a team-high 27 points while going 10-for-16 from the field. Skoff was a perfect 6-for-6 at the free throw line.

Trey Powers and Jack Dotzler each crested at 10-or-more points, with Powers hitting 13 and Dotzler putting up 10. 

Brendan Buckley tallied a team-leading eight rebounds, followed by powers with six and Dylan Johnson, with five.

Morningside heads to Aberdeen, S.D. to compete in the Small College Basketball Classic on Friday and Saturday, starting the weekend early on Friday with a 2 p.m. contest with Carroll.