No. 20 Mustangs prevail in battle of Top 25 teams

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – A NAIA Top-25 showdown between the No. 20 Mustangs and No. 14 Northwestern lived up to the billing Wednesday night inside the Rosen Verdoorn Sports Center and Allee Gymnasium. The Mustangs held a one-point advantage at the half, but a strong defensive half in the second allowed for Morningside to pull away with a 78-64 win.

The first half was as tightly contested as anticipated for the two squads tied for second in the Great Plains Athletic Conference standings. There were six lead changes as the two teams traded basket for basket and turnover for turnover. Morningside was able to open up a slim lead of six in the final minutes of the half, but a 7-2 burst to end the half cut the Morningside lead to a single point, 38-37.

The second half started much like the majority of the first, with the two sides trading points and leads. Morningside went on a 7-0 run to open up a 55-48 lead, one they wouldn't relinquish. A Caleb Dreckman three-pointer stretched the lead to double digits for the first time, 61-50, and an Aidan Vanderloo three gave Morningside its largest lead of the game, 78-59, with 1:57 to go. Northwestern scored the final five points, but the damage was done.

Dylan Johnson was the scoring leader for Morningside, pouring in 18 points off the bench, including four triples. Ely Doble, coming off a career performance Sunday against Doane, recorded a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds. Vanderloo added 12 points. Jack Dotzler was a passing machine Wednesday, recording nine assists to go with eight points. 

The Mustangs stand alone at 8-2 in the GPAC. Hastings leads the conference with an 8-1 record, but the Mustangs defeated Hastings in Hastings earlier this month. 

Morningside hits the road Saturday, heading to Fremont, Nebraska to take on Midland. The Mustangs defeated the Warriors in early December 100-88.