Strong first quarter powers Mustangs to women's basketball victory

Photo by Alena Peters, Morningside Sports Information Intern

SIOUX CITY, IOWA – A 22-4 first quarter was the difference maker for Morningside women's basketball as it squared off with Doane's Tigers in Allee Gym. The Mustangs went on to win by a 78-63 margin, moving to 12-6 and 7-5 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference.

Morningside never trailed in the contest, with Olivia Larsen making the first basket after Doane controlled the opening tip. Larsen's score was the only made basket in more than the first two minutes of the game, as Doane answered at about the seven-and-a-half minute mark. Larsen hit another layup and opened the floodgates as Morningside went on a 15-0 run over the next six minutes of play.

The Mustangs went 32-of-70 from the field, good for better than 45 percent, while Doane only attempted 51 shots in the contest, making 20 of them for a shooting percentage just short of 40 percent. 

Lily Vollertsen led Morningside in scoring, netting 17 points off of the bench, including a 5-of-7 day at the free throw line. Sophia Peppers followed with 14 points. Chaise Pfanstiel had 12, and McKenna Sims and Alexis Spier each had 10.

The Mustangs, who rank sixth in the nation in assists per game, with 17.9, tallied 23 assists in the win. Pfanstiel had six, followed by Peppers and Spier with five each.

Peppers and Vollertsen each had six rebounds in the contest. Larsen and Ella Wragge followed with five apiece, Sims had four, and Chloe Lofstrom had three. 

Morningside has an opportunity to advance in the GPAC standings as it travels to Concordia University on Wednesday for a 6 p.m. contest. The Bulldogs currently sit ahead of the Mustangs, holding an 8-5 record against conference opponents.