Morningside women unable to rattle no.4 Dordt

SIOUX CENTER, IOWA – The Mustangs had a tall task ahead of them if they wanted to make up ground on the league-leading, and no. 4 ranked, Dordt University women's basketball team, especially playing in hostile DeWitt Gymnasium. A determined Morningside team gave the Defenders a fight, but fell 77-67 as the final quarter came to a close.

The Mustangs outplayed the Defenders close to the hoop, out-rebounding them 34-30 and outscoring them in the paint 34 points to 30. The teams matched turnover figures, but the Mustangs capitalized on Dordt's 16 turnovers with 25 points, while the Defenders only managed 13. The home team's advantage came in the form of eight bench points, while shooting 52.8 percent, compared to Morningside's 41 percent.

The Mustangs saw Alexis Spier rebound from an off game at College of Saint Mary to lead the way in scoring, with 19 points. Olivia Larsen followed with 14. McKenna Sims had 10, Sophia Peppers eight, and Chloe Lofstrom and Chaise Pfanstiel six each. Larsen and Spier each had two assists, while Sims and Lofstrom each had one.

Larsen led the way when it came to rebounds, with six. Spier and Vollertsen each had five, Sims and Peppers had four, Lofstrom and Ella Wragge each had three, and Pfansitel and Lauren Hedlund each had one.

The Mustangs' next opportunity to get back in the wins column is on Saturday, as Briar Cliff's Chargers visit Allee Gym.