Strong defensive effort holds off Mustangs

HASTINGS, NEB. – The Hastings College Broncos turned up the pressure on defense on their way to upsetting eighth ranked Morningside College in GPAC basketball action on Sat. Dec. 1. The No. 12 Broncos had 13 steals and 5 blocked shots on their way to a 72-61 victory over the Mustangs in Lynn Farrell Arena.

The Mustangs outscored Hastings 25-21 in the first half of play before the Broncos clamped down. Hastings wouldn't trail beyond the six-minute mark in the third quarter.

Morningside was led in scoring by Sydney Hupp (JR/O'Neill, NE), with a 17 point effort. She was followed by Skyler Snider (JR/Kearney, NE) with 12 and Alexandra Gill (SR/Omaha, NE) off the bench with 8. The visitors' bench turned in 17 points in the contest.

Gill led the Mustangs with a game-leading 7 rebounds. Six of which came on the defensive side of the ball. Sierra Mitchell (SO/Pleasant Hill, IA), Hupp, and Snider each pulled down six rebounds in the contest. Morningside out-rebounded Hastings 39-35.

The Mustangs return home to take on Midland University, in the first of three home games prior to winter break, on Dec. 5 at 6:00 p.m. in Rosen-Verdoorn Sports Center.