Can't miss Mustangs return in 107-67 victory over Briar Cliff

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Mustangs wanted to enter the GPAC Tournament on a high note, and did so with a dominating 107-67 victory over Briar Cliff Saturday afternoon at Briar Cliff.

Morningside never trailed in the 40-point victory, hitting 65% of their shots, including 45% from beyond the arc. The Mustangs outrebounded the Chargers 35-22, had 11 more assists and two fewer turnovers. Morningside scored 52 points in the paint and had 32 bench points. It's the sixth time during the 2023-24 season where Morningside eclipsed 100 points in a game. 

In total, 15 Mustangs scored in the victory. Morningside used a 72% shooting percentage in the first half to open a 55-39 lead at the intermission. The efficiency dropped for Morningside in the second half, but the damage was done.

A Jack Dotzler three-pointer with 11:26 to play made it 87-47, the first 40-point lead of the game. Morningside's largest lead was 43 points, coming on a Tate VanRegenmorter basket with 7:56 left, and happened again on a Alex Aguirre basket with 6:34 to play. 

Dotzler made 10-of-13 shots for 25 points after missing Wednesday's game at Northwestern. He added five assists. Ely Doble added 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting. Joey Skoff pitched in 13 points and Aidan Vanderloo 11 points.

The Mustangs earned the No. 4 seed in the GPAC Tournament with the win. The Mustangs will play Jamestown Wednesday night inside Allee Gymnasium and the Rosen Verdoorn Sports Center at 7 p.m.