Score graphic with Tonja Heirings photo
January 11, 2025

Strong start and finish propels Mustangs over Midland

Morningside started the contest with a 12-3 run, then ended it with an 11-2 sprint. Lily Vollertsen had a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Morningside women's basketball team secured a 69-61 win over Midland with strong runs at the start and finish on Saturday.

Morningside, moving to 8-8 overall and 6-4 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference, started the contest with a 12-3 run, then ended it with an 11-2 sprint.

In the first run, Alexis Spier hit two 3-pointers that set the tone, while Lily Vollertsen also made a pair of buckets.

Morningside shot 55 percent during the first quarter.

The last stand started when the Warriors scored with 6:44 left, and held a 59-58 lead. Vollertsen – who had a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double – made a layup that put the Mustangs in front for good.

Spier made a layup, then Chaise Pfanstiel made a pair of free throws. Vollertsen and Spier scored the final four points of the win.

"I think we were gaining confidence and our shots started falling," Vollertsen said. "We stepped up and we trusted each other. We knew we had to go on a run there in the fourth quarter."

On top of that, Morningside's defense held Midland scoreless for over six minutes.

"We did a lot better down the stretch," said head coach Jamie Sale. "We got the ball in our best players' hands and let them make plays."

Spier had 10 points as the only other double-digit scorer among the starting five.

Morningside also contributed 31 points and 26 rebounds off the bench, as three players played more than 20 minutes of game play. Sam Ehlers scored 10 points during 21 minutes, while Tonja Heirigs had seven in 17 minutes.

"We keep trying different people off the bench, and we feel like we have good depth, and when we score 30-something points off the bench, we feel like we have a really good chance to win," Sale said. 

Pfanstiel scored eight points and three offensive rebounds during 26 minutes of action. Baylie Girres also brought in three offensive rebounds.

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