Hot shooting Mustangs cruise by Doane

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The No. 17 Mustangs trailed at the half Sunday afternoon as Doane hit 55% of their shots from the floor and 58% from beyond the arc in the opening half, but stronger defense coupled with hot shooting lifted Morningside to a 99-75 win.

Despite the freezing temps outside, the Mustangs were hot shooting the ball from the field. Morningside finished 65% from the floor and 47% from three in the win. 

Doane couldn't miss early on, opening up an early eight point lead that Morningside couldn't close. The Mustangs were able to get back within a possession, but a pair of shots on the final possession of the half didn't fall and Doane led 49-46. 

Ely Doble was a workhorse in the first half, totaling 25 points and seven rebounds. He would finish with a career high 37 points and 13 rebounds. 

Doane cooled off in the second half, making 10-of-30 shots and turning the ball over six times. Morningside capitalized on that by hitting over 70% of their shots. Joey Skoff went 7-for-8 in the half and Doble 6-for-7. 

The Mustangs' high-flying offense was on full display as Joey Skoff hammered home a trio of dunks and the team converted 8-of-17 three-pointers.

Outside of Doble's double-double, Skoff finished with 17 points and four rebounds. Dylan Johnson added 11 points and six rebounds off the bench. Brendan Buckley and Jack Dotzler added 10 points apiece. 

Morningside returns to action in a battle of Top 25 teams as No. 13 Northwestern comes to town at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday. Northwestern's game with Midland was rescheduled to Monday evening, but as things stand at the conclusion of Morningside's victory, Morningside is second in the GPAC standings at 7-2. Northwestern is 6-2 in conference, good for third.