MITCHELL, S.D. – A valiant comeback effort from the No. 17 Morningside Mustangs wasn't enough as Dakota Wesleyan mounted a late comeback of their own to take down Morningside 90-86 Wednesday night in Mitchell.

The Tigers led by as many as 16 points in the first half as they committed just one turnover and shot 50% from the field. A late flurry from the Mustangs was enough to cut the deficit to nine, 49-40, at the intermission. 

The Mustangs came out of the halftime break with a 16-5 run to take the lead, 56-54. Morningside opened up a 72-62 lead with a second under nine minutes to play. Dakota Wesleyan turned the tides for the remainder of the game by tying things up at 76 in the middle of a 20-4 run to take a 82-76 lead with 2:22 to play. The Mustangs hung around for the remainder of the game, but were unable to get back to even as they fall to 6-2 in conference play and 11-4 overall.

Morningside managed to shoot 55% from the field and 43% from beyond the arc, but 12 turnovers to six for the Tigers was a difference, as was the free throw numbers. Morningside was 14-for-19 at the charity stripe, but Dakota Wesleyan went 23-for-31.

Ely Doble was the leading scorer for Morningside, tallying 29 points and adding five rebounds. Joey Skoff added 26 points and Jack Dotzler 11 points. Brendan Buckley added eight points and eight rebounds. Buckley, Dotzler, and Aidan Vanderloo each tallied four assists. 

Morningside is back at home Saturday to take on Doane inside Allee Gym.