Morningside prevails 76-53 in senior day battle with Hastings

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Mustangs were all smiles Saturday, as they defeated Hastings 76-53 on senior day inside the Rosen Verdoorn Sports Center and Allee Gymnasium.

Morningside scored 17 points in each of the first two quarters to open up a seven-point, 34-27, halftime lead. Alexis Spier poured in the points in the first 20 minutes, scoring 13 of them.

The third quarter was lower scoring as the intensity of the matchup started to show. With both teams battling for a spot in the GPAC Tournament and two weeks until the regular season comes to a close, Morningside and Hastings turned up the pressure in the third quarter combining for 23 points, but it was Morningside who held the advantage with one quarter to play.

Morningside turned on the burners in the final quarter, pouring in more points in the final 10 minutes (30) than Hastings had in the second half of the game (26). Lily Vollertsen was pivotal in the final moments, pouring in 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting in the fourth. 

Vollertsen and Spier finished with 19 points each. Spier added nine rebounds and six assists. Sam Ehlers tallied 10 rebounds off the bench to go with six points. Olivia Larsen recorded eight assists and four steals.

Three Morningside seniors were honored prior to tipoff. Lauren Hedlund, Olivia Larsen and Chloe Lofstrom were joined by their parents at center court.

The Mustangs have one final regular season home game on Wednesday against Dakota Wesleyan. The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start time.