Morningside begins 2021-22 GPAC slate on high note

SIOUX CITY, IOWA – For a second straight game, a final 20-minutes rally proved pivotal for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' No. 6-ranked Morningside University.

Embroiled in a back-and-forth tug of war with Great Plains Athletic Conference foe Dakota Wesleyan University, head coach Jamie Sale's Mustangs managed to find its offensive third gear in the nick of time. Senior guard Sierra Mitchell (Pleasant Hill, Iowa) was the crux behind a 14-4 stretch in the last 3:19 that provided the Mustangs a 72-62 victory in front of a happy home crowd at Allee Gymnasium of the Rosen-Verdoorn Sports Center Saturday, Nov. 13.

Mitchell canned two three-pointers in the span, and Mside, improving to 2-2 overall and 1-0 in the league, went nine-of-12 at the charity stripe to finally put away what had been a tense battle for a good share of the 40 minutes. DWU, despite falling to 3-1 overall and 0-1 in the conference, led by as much as four at several stages and always managed to answer every Mustangs' attack with one of its own until the game-decider.

Mitchell and senior forward Sophia Peppers (Exira, Iowa) shared the scoring lead with 14 each. Mitchell also dished out six assists, and Peppers gathered five rebounds, dished out three assists, and blocked a Tiger shot attempt. Fellow senior forward Taylor Rodenbergh (Hawarden, Iowa) appeared at every spot on the floor throughout the afternoon, collecting 11 points and nine rebounds to go with six assists and four steals. Sophomore post player Chloe Lofstrom took a substantial measure in the paint with a double-double of 11 points and ten rebounds. Sophomore guard Alexis Spier (Gretna, Neb.) continued to impress off the bench, tallying 10 points which featured a pair of crucial three-point baskets.

Mside looks to extend its current two-game win streak when Dordt University visits Sioux City Wednesday, Nov. 17. Game time is 6 p.m.