Morningside defense locks down Saints

ABERDEEN, S.D. – In the Small College Basketball Champions Classic at Wachs Arena in Aberdeen, South Dakota Friday, the Mustangs jumped out to a first-half advantage on No. 16 Carroll (Mont.) and beat the Saints 72-54. 

Trey Powers was perfect from the floor in the first half, going 5-for-5 overall and 2-for-2 from beyond the three-point arc for 12 first-half points. The Mustangs held a 13-point lead at the half.

Carroll rallied early in the second half, cutting the lead to four with 7:10 to play. The Mustangs defense locked down for the final seven minutes of the game, allowing two made baskets as Morningside pulled away.

Joey Skoff and Ely Doble had big second half performances to finish with 19 points each. Doble and Powers led the team with seven rebounds apiece. Jack Dotzler added eight points. 

Andrew Cook led Carroll with 18 points, followed by Brendan Temple with 13 points. 

The Mustangs improved to 5-0 on the season with the win. It is the first ranked win of the 2022-23 season for Morningside, and the second win over a team receiving votes or better after Wednesday's win over Dordt.

Morningside is playing again Saturday, as they face No. 14 Indiana Wesleyan Saturday at 2 p.m. at Wachs Arena in Aberdeen.