Mustangs outplay Jimmies statistically, fall in conference clash

SIOUX CITY, IOWA – It was bound to be another tough game for the Mustangs, as Morningside played host to no. 19 Jamestown in women's basketball action. The unranked Mustangs reminded the Jimmies that any team in the Great Plains Athletic Conference is a threat, as Jamestown escaped with an 83-79 win.

The underdog Mustangs played their hearts out, but a Jamestown team that shot 58 percent from the field, making 29 of 50 shots, and went 17-of-20 from the free throw line was too much for the hometown team to hold down. 

Morningside shot a respectable 43.1 percent, including a 10-of-25 effort from beyond the three-point line, sinking two more treys, and two more field goals overall, than the Jimmies. The Mustangs also saw the turnover battle swing their way, with a ten-turnover difference between the two teams. Morningside scored 24 points off of turnovers, and nine second chance points, compared to the Jimmies' six in each category.

Wearing their home white jerseys, with black numbers trimmed in maroon, the Mustangs were led offensively by McKenna Sims, with 17 points. Alexis Spier had 16, and Lily Vollertsen followed with 14. Sophia Peppers had 10 points, Aspen Jansa had eight, and Oliva Larsen and Chloe Lofstrom each had four. Chaise Pfanstiel and Lauren Hedlund were the final Mustangs in the scoring column, with three-points each. 

Peppers tallied a game-high eight assists, followed by Sims, with four. Larsen, Spier, Lofstrom, and Pfanstiel each had two assists.

Lofstrom led the team in rebounding, with six, followed by Peppers, with five; Spier, with four; and Vollertsen, with three.

The Mustangs will work to shake off the loss tomorrow against Hastings College, a team that Morningside defeated 87-79 in two overtime periods back in January.