Defense sets the tone in Mustang win

SIOUX CITY, IOWA – The Mustangs found a rhythm and took an early lead in today's non-conference game against the visiting Bruins of Bellevue University, never trailing after the opening quarter's first minute in women's basketball action.  The home team easily walked away with the W, wrapping up a perfect 4-0 homestand, with a score of 91-45.

Morningside countered a quick score by Bellevue to open the game with an offensive rebound and putback by Chloe Lofstrom, followed by a steal by Sophia Peppers, an assist for McKenna Sims, and a quick three-pointer for Taylor Rodenburgh, securing a lead that it wouldn't give up for the remainder of the game.  

It was the Mustang defense that was the difference maker in this matchup, though, as Morningside knocked 13 steals away from the Bruins, with Sierra Mitchell, Lauren Hedlund, Aspen Jansa, Peppers, and Rodenburgh each knocking the ball away twice. Lofstrom led the way in the paint, with seven of the team's 28 defensive rebounds.  Morningside's pressure also kept the visitors from advancing the ball past the 10-second timeline on at least two occasions, while holding the Bruins to less than 10 points in the second and fourth quarters.

The Mustangs, who cleared their bench of the 13 personnel dressed to play today, shot just above 50% from the field, with a 48% rating from beyond the arc.  They went 13 of 19 at the free throw line, courtesy of 21 Bellevue fouls.

Rodenburgh and Lofstrom led the scoring for Morningside, with Rodenburgh netting six shots in eight attempts from three-point land, and Lofstrom collecting her 18 under the basket and at the foul line.  Peppers trailed with 16 points, going 6-for-10 from the floor, including one three.

Lofstrom took top honors working the glass, collecting eight total rebounds.  Sims tallied seven, tied with Aspen Jansa, who led the players coming off the bench with seven rebounds and eight points.

Morningside returns to the floor on the road, with a men's and women's doubleheader at Doane University on Tuesday.  The women's tip-off is slated for 6 p.m., with the men following, scheduled for 7:45 p.m.